Southwell's sapient judge-no better prima facie reason could be advanced, your worship, for our discountenancing it. Is any sort or any manner of exposure prohibited by the law of the land, either parliament-made or judge-made law; is any manner of speaking and writing on laws, politics, or religion denounced by religion as by law established, or by the law of which "christianity is part and parcel," or by the precedent-guided numsculls who sell it out for so much per annum; is any sort of publication solemnly interdicted-we may as surely conclude that the sort and manner are beneficial to the interests of humanity, as that kings, nobles, priests, lawyers, soldiers, money lords, milllords, and landlords are but the tolerated nuisances of a semi-civilised, ignorant, and disunited people. The pseudo-liberal cant about "good manners,' ""deference to society," "regard to prejudices," &c., will pass for what it is worth. A little help would be worth a load of advice gratis, and very ill-digested instead of well-considered advice too. We impugn not the motives of these suggestions, but the counsel of your good sort of well-meaning men, by inducing an evasive, expedient-loving, and truckling policy, is ofttimes the most dangerous to observe; leading into all sorts of scrapes, and carrying out less effectually the grand objects we all profess to have in view. We are all curious to know why the circle of affections and loving-kindness, which is supposed to animate the breasts of the soidisant philanthropists, extends not to the persecuted with the same sympathising condolence as to the persecutors-why do they shut their hearts against the victims, and not against the victimisers-why do they not counsel the legal and ecclesiastical plunderers and hypocrites, and the foul-mouthed scribes in their pay, to "mend their manners," to "pay deference to society,' " and "regard the prejudices" of those whom they traduce? Were the meed of justice fairly dealt out, we should have no more mock sentimental and mawkish comparisons between the offence of assaulting the prejudices and assaulting the person; and no such sneaking and dastardly commentaries as, "there are faults on both sides," would disgrace the pages of the organ of one of the most advanced societies in existence. It may suffice to say, we have traced out a course for ourselves; we have decided deliberately, and will act inflexibly, through good report and evil report, "Mid the open and concealed attack of bigot foes and insidious friends," marching straight onward, neither retrograding, swerving, nor halting on the way. Without the abuse, calumny, scurrility, cruelty, and vindictiveness of the pattern reformer, we will endeavour to explain our meaning as plainly, as forcibly, and as spiritedly. We will not mince our words to polish off our phraseology, obscure a narrative by softening our diction, nor weaken a truth to round a period. We will always call to mind too, that we speak for Charles Southwell. Let our words be heard as echoes from his prison walls; let his undaunted spirit inspire us to lay bare the hollow pretence, and expose the cruel mockeries of all sorts of canters-evangelical, ecclesiastical, and infidel. Through us shall he speak, though gagged by his jailors. He shall be read, though he wield not the pen. His thoughts, in short, shall be your thoughts. As he, regardless of stupid and selfish conventionalities, unmindful of personal sacrifice, of the hate of enemies, the scorn of the indifferent, or the coolness of friends, would lay the scourge on hypocrisy and superstition; as he would abolish mental slavery in its strong hold, so shall the plan of his tracing be followed out; so shall his objects be pursued till he shall again walk forth as free in body as he still remains in mind. Forseeing all kinds and qualities of persecution, we have, in our turn, prepared for it, and now, the sword drawn and the scabbard cast aside, we await, nothing dismayed, the onslaught of the bigot troops-ye shall have it hip and thigh, whether halting, retreating, or advancing-no quarter! shall be the word, and damned be he who first cries "hold! enough!" Read this, and mark it well, ye Woodwards, and Bromleys, and Woods, and Wetheralls, and, above all, ye, gentlemen of the jury, enlightened and tolerant batch of free and independent Englishmen, whose fathers were striped, pillored, and hung up like dogs, on the same pretence as that for which ye immured Charles Southwell.Look to it! M. Q. R. To the Editor of the Oracle of Reason. MR. EDITOR.-The celebrated Lawrence Sterne observes in one of his works, that "Of all the cants which are canted in this canting world, though the cant of hypocrisy may be the worst, the cant of criticism is the most tormenting." I have no doubt that there are many who know, by bitter experience, the truth of this curious and pungent remark; many who become the subjects of painful emotions, when they behold their productions, or their opinions, submitted to the lash of an enlightened and faithful critic. When an individual, whose opinions are to him as sacred as the emanations of a divinity, perceives the truth of * See Luther, p. 27, cum multis aliis, those opinions questioned, their merits canvassed, and their absurdity exposed, it is difficult for him to repress the workings of malignancy and revenge. In spite of all that prudence would dictate, in spite of all the monitions of philosophy, and in spite of all the fancied influence of what is called divine grace, the spirit of persecution bursts forth, and the rack, the gibbet, the fagot, and the dungeon, are resorted to by those who have no better argument to offer in support of their faith. That persecution for opinion's sake is peculiarly christian, is a proposition which no student of ecclesiastical history can deny. If, as some semi-christians assert, it is not sanctioned by that most delicate and veracious of all books-the bible-it has most certainly been sanctioned by the practice of the church. The persecution of the Waldenses and Albigenses, the burning of Huss and Jerome of Prague, the iron rule of the monstrous Inquisition, the Massacre of St. Bartholomew, and our own Smithfield martyrs, form only a few of those instances wherein the spirit of religion has gone forth to deeds of slaughter and of blood. It is useless to say that these manifestations of a malignant spirit belong exclusively to the roman catholic church. We can adduce other instances wherein protesants have been guilty of as outrageous and palpable enormities as the roman catholics. The followers of the papacy were as bad as saints need be, and as saints generally are, but then they were consistent, while the protestants, who in all other respects are on a par with the catholics, want this virtue altogether. In ancient times, when the chair of St. Peter formed the world's pontificate, the right to free inquiry, and to the free expression of opinion, was neither acknowledged nor allowed. Whenever, therefore, an individual attempted to canvass the doctrines of the church, he might be certain beforehand of his fate. In the present day the right of private judgment is formally acknowledged by protestants, and, indeed, constitutes the fundamental principle of their system; yet, when an individual opposes their religion, and exercises the same right which they claim for themselves, they hurry him off with malignant impetuosity to a dungeon. The unjust incarceration of a Taylor and a Carlile, of a Hetherington and a Southwell, afford sufficient evidence of this fact. In order to escape the odium which is necessarily attached to all persecution for opinion's sake, our would-be liberals endeavour to point out a difference between persecution and prosecution. I have heard a fanatic of the "first water," and one whose moral character is not of the best description, make use of some such language as the following: "We prosecute an individual for publishing blasphemy, but we do not persecute him. Between prosecution and persecution there is a wide and essential difference. We tolerate all opinions as long as men confine them to their own bosoms, we permit every person to exercise his judgment upon all subjects, as long as he does not publish the results of his inquiries to the world. The fact, however, of a man entertaining infidel opinions is one thing, and the fact of a man publishing them is another. In the one case the individual is accountable to god only, in the other case he is accountable to the civil magistrate. No magistrate has a right to punish a man for his private opinions, every magistrate has a right to punish a man for publishing infidel opinions to the world." Such is the substance, if not the precise words, of the argument put forth by this religiously-orthodox and exceedingly moral gentleman, in support of prosecution for blasphemy. In this argument the civil magistrate is supposed to be a proper judge of the truth or falsehood of speculative opinions. How stupidly absurd! Can it be supposed, that Old Mother Red Cap, of Bristol, is properly qualified to discriminate between truth and falsehood in philosophy? He must certainly apply himself more closely to the study of Watson's "Theological Institutes," to John Wesley's sermons, and all the other productions of god's elite, before he can be fitted for this task. If, however, he would attentively peruse those parts of Wesley's jour nals, where he describes the visitations of the devil, he would probably acquire much useful knowledge, and be better qualified to fulfil his duty than he is at present. "But you have no right," say our christian fanatics," to outrage the moral sense of the community. England is yet a christian country; and, thank god, there are laws for the suppression of blasphemy." Then we ask, had the christians any right to outrage the moral sense of the ancient pagans, by denouncing their gods and worshipping a crucified man? This moral sense of the community, however, is a queer thing. The christian would appear to resemble a robust man with a gouty toe. You may infringe on every part of his body but that. The instant, however, you touch his toe, an oh! and a groan, betokens the pain you inflict. So, in the land of bibles and prayer books, missionary, alias money-getting, and humbug societies, you may publish any scientific opinion; you may contradict any received truth in philosophy; but if ever you touch religion, the cry of blasphemy is instantly raised; and in order that your soul may be benefitted, the old lady of Bristol, or some other equally venerable personage, causes your body to be confined in a dungeon, Why are the doughty champions of ortho- | the Trial of great use to him, as the extracts doxy disposed to persecute? This question can be answered in only two ways: either they are afraid to meet the advocates of free inquiry in fair and open discussion, or they are desirous of gratifying their malignancy by seeing them punished. to you. are therein all marked. I should wish one to be forwarded to me as soon as printed, for I do not think that I shall be prevented from receiving either books or papers from you; but the authorities are, I have reason to believe, very anxious that I should not There are some people, half infidel and write for the Oracle. Sir C. Wetherall, as half christians, who maintain that the bible you are no doubt aware, ordered me firstno where sanctions persecution. Then why class treatment; but of the precise nature of do not those individuals exert themselves for that treatment I am not yet informed. I the purpose of procuring the repeal of those shall know in a day or two; and will, if perbarbarian edicts, the laws against blasphe-mitted, forward all information thereupon my? Many dissenting ministers declare that no man ought to be punished for the expression of his opinions, then why do not those ministers petition the legislature to abolish statutes which are, according to their own showing, both arbitrary and unjust? The fact is, they do not like the popular odium which is attached to such cases of prosecut tion; and, therefore, they occasionally assert that such prosecutions are unjust. But to take any steps towards effecting a repeal of the blasphemy laws, would be too much to expect from any one who is deeply tinctured with devotion. The infidel might rot in prison before any considerable body of christians would petition for his release. In every book of evidences that the priests manufacture, the French revolution occupies | a conspicuous place. The atrocities perpetrated by an infuriated mob are described in all their horror, and represented as the genuine offspring of infidelity. The evidence - manufacturers, however, seldom advert to the exploits of their own worthies, to the cruelties they have practised, or to the sins they have committed. Afraid, lest | they should grow presumptuous and highminded, by forgetting their transgressions, it is my intention to lay before them, in subsequent letters, an account of some of their deeds. This account may have very little effect upon them, for even iron cannot penetrate steel, but it may have its due effect upon the world. ONE OF THE UNORTHODOX. A VOICE FROM BRISTOL GAOL. Bristol Gaol, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 1842, DEAR H.-Received the Advertiser with your letter, both gave me great pleasure, though the report is meagre; and as heaven helps those who help themselves, I recommend you, and through you, the commitee, to publish a full report of the Trial immediately, with all extracts, quotations, authorities, &c. I should like Chilton to superintend the publication of it-he would find the books I used on expect to be allowed my own bed, books, &c., and should very much like to see the Dispatch every week, with any other papers that may happen to contain matter of peculiar interest. Perhaps you will put matters in train so that I may be furnished with bed, &c., &c., should they be allowed me. I don't know whether any arrangement of that kind has been made with our friends in Bristol, if not, it may easily be made. The governor of this prison is exceedingly kind, and I feel assured that all he can, consistently with his duty, do for me he will. Tell all friends that I am in good health and spirits, that some kind angel or angels furnish me every morning with coffee and toast; after that, with mutton and other things; and to-day, in addition to all this, I have been sent a nice cup of tea, that is now by my side, and would be perfection itself, if it were but a little sweeter. My paper is all but exhausted, so I must content myself by adding that all things seem working together for good, and all being well that ends well, may you all end well, not forgetting the middle and the beginning. Yours, in statu-quo, He informed me to-day that the rules by which he must be guided in his treatment of me, would be ready for my inspection to-morrow (Saturday). When I know the precise footing upon which all matters stand, you will be informed toute suite. Have just received "Hume's History of England." Oh! how I did hug the delightful volumes. You know out-of-door reading and chattering relieves thought, but here until to-day there has been no sort of safety-valve. I have no companions here, good, bad, or indifferent. The confinement is solitary; and, in truth, I prefer solitude to the company of the irreclaimably vicious and depraved. Should like to hear from head quarters immediately, with account including the say ings, doings, and what not of G. J. Holyoake; for I much fear, now he is set a-float, wind, tide, and all the powers of darkness won't stop him. Tell him, if you please, that though I have been, as the Yankees say, cruelly fortunate in my mad pranks, that he must pot a guard over his valour, for he has given hostages to fortune, whereas I had not. I have already said, that I expect to learn to-morrow how much of liberty I am to enjoy; but though the authorities here may determine that I am not to write ad libitum, it may be that a first-class prisoner can demand such privilege. Look you to that, friend H., for you are the lawyer for all sorts of unbelievers, heretics, and scamps. With a noted saint, however, I say to you, let every thing be done decently and in order. Lloyd Jones has been to see me, and spoke of furnishing me regularly with one of the aily papers. If I could have the Times or Chronicle, one day after publication, it would be capital. Although put up in a hole here, I want to know how the rest of the wide world wags. In all matters act bravely and honestly. The ball is at your feet, it needs but kicking cientifically. Yours, truly, C. SOUTHWELL. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE THE central committee for the assistance The leading facts of the arrest of C. South, his trial, defence, and imprisonment, already before the public. The necessity interfering between C. S. and a law, no ter whether parliament, or judge, made, ca has been used as a handle for all sorts #yrannies, enormities, and exactions, strongly prompted a few friends of freedom of opinion to organise a plan of operation which would enable them to place the circumstances of his case before the public, whose aid and co-operation they solicited. ings were held, and subscriptions were colIn London, and elsewhere, public meetlected, which have been extensively reported in the daily and weekly press; and subscription books were issued for defraying the expenses. judices of the press generally, and it being a The committee aware of the fears and prespecial wish on their part to give the utmost Mr. William Carpenter to give a full and publicity to the entire proceedings, engaged faithful report of the trial, which they now have in course of publication. Mr. Hetherington's presence and valuable assistance was secured, and every step was taken under the advice of eminent legal counsel. These, and innumerable other offices, difficult, or almost for the efficient conduct of the business, were impossible to specify, but absolutely essential cheerfully, and, in many cases, gratuitously, performed. It only remains for the advocates of mental freedom, of every denomination, to come forward according to their various abilities, either in purse, influence, or labour, to help on the work so nobly begun. Much has been done, and much has been subscribed--still, more is necessarily left undone from the great absorption of the pecuniary resources placed at the disposal of the committee. It is necessary to be distinctly understood, that the committee consider themselves as neither identified with, nor opposed to, the opinions or policy of Mr. Southwell, but as instruments to carry out the views of the liberal and enlightened portion of the people on the subject of the universal right to the unrestrained publication of opinion, whether by speech or by the press. They cannot but state what it becomes the most pleasing part of their duty to make kuown-the prompt, zealous, and energetic response of various valued friends in some of the chief towns in the kingdom, namely, Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield (where G. J. which calls for especial notice), Glasgow, Holyoake has exerted himself in a manner Edinburgh, Maidstone, and other places. gratefully acknowledging the kind and manly The press cannot be passed over without assistance of some of the enlightened journals, correspondent, "Publicola," stands foremost. amongst which the Dispatch,through its valued The committee's most earnest wish is to obtain sufficient assistance to deliver Mr. Southwell in the shortest possible time from the clutches of an iniquitous law; and to stimulate all sympathising minds to form an extensive ANTI- PERSECUTION UNION, whose great and glorious objects shall be to abolish all law or legal practice which shackles expression of opinion, and to protect and indemnify all, of whatever persuasion, whether Jew, Christian, Infidel, Atheist, or other denomination in danger of similar tyrannies. All remittances or communications to be fowarded to "The Protection Committee of C. Southwell, Lambeth Coffee House, 3, North Place, Lambeth." By order of the Committee, Feb. 11, 1842. LAW AS IT IS.-Scarce any man has the means of knowing a twentieth part of the laws he is bound by. Both sorts of law are kept most happily and carefully from the knowledge of the people: statute law by its shape and bulk; common law by its very essence. It is the judges that make the common law-do you know how they make it? Just as a man makes laws for his dog. When your dog does anything you want to break him of, you wait till he does it, and then beat him for it. This is the way you make laws M. RYALL, Sec. for your dog; and this is the way the judges make laws for you and me. They won't tell a man beforehand what it is he should not do, they won't so much as allow of his being told: they lie by till he has done something which they say he should not have done, and then they hang him for it. What way, then, has any man of coming at this dog-law? Only by watching their proceedings; by observing in what cases they have hanged a man, in what cases they have sent him to jail 30 11 9 in what cases they have seized his goods, and so forth. These proceedings they won't pub200lish themselves; and if anybody else pub 200lishes them, it is what they call a contemp 130 of court, and a man may be sent to jail for 1 1 0 it.-Jeremy Bentham. N.B. All persons having SUBSCRIPTION Books in their possession, are requested to bring them into the Secretary, on Wednesday Evenings, from 7 till 9. London SUBSCRIPTIONS, For the London Anti-Persecution Union. Sheffield Edinburgh Glasgow Harlington Maidstone Sums received by G. J. Holyoake. Dewar .. 3 18 6 1 2 0 6 8 0 3 050 0 13 0 8 0 5 0 6 0 10 0 The undermentioned sum has likewise been received, and applied to purposes not coming within the scope of the committee's operations, but, at the same time, for the use of Mr. Southwell, Birmingham, per Mr. Hornblower £ s. d. 4 0 0 Future lists will' appear, and any omissions or additions noticed. CUSTOм may lead a man into many errors, but it justifies none.-Fielding. PRINCIPLES.-The change we personally experience from time to time, we obstinately deny to our principles.-Zimmerman. WHAT IS SPACE?-If space be god, the all bodies are situated in god, as in thei proper places; then every single body exist in part of god, and occupies so much of th dimensions of the godhead as it fills of space If space were god, then god, though i the whole immeasurable, yet hath million of parts, really distinct from each other measurable by feet, inches, &c. even as the bodies contained therein; and, according this notion, it may be most properly sai that one part of god is longer than anoth part of him, and that twenty-five inches the divine nature, long, broad, and deep, w contain above two feet of solid body, &c.Essays by Isaac Watts, D.D. THE BELIEVERS.- -I am not afraid those tender and scrupulous conscienc who are over cautions of professing and lieving too much: if they are sincerely the wrong, I forgive their errors and respe their integrity. The men I am afraid are the men who believe everything, st scribe to everything, and vote for everythi -Bishop Shipley. JUDGES.-What shentleman is that up the pench in hur cown, and her pelt, a hur plack cap? Why marry (quoth M gan) hur is an old woman that takes nap upon her cushion, and then hur tells shewry her tream.-A Learned Dissertat on Old Women. Published by H. HETHERINGTON, Wine-O Court, Fleet Street; and sold by all Liberal B sellers. Printed for G. J. Holyoake, 179, Broom Street, Sheffield.-Saturday, February 12, 1842. |