The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-07-02 00:00:00

on, aria-n. 04 would not meek iktindoias Ma%
How could these Missionaries, *Wove labours were se
much to be praised, be justified. who went forth to distant_
nations to expose tbe follies and absurdities of the modes
of worship which prevailed in those remote places?—
Would we apply one principle to our own case, and. six-
other to that of others? When we sent those mission.
aries abroad, it wu with the intention that by exposing,
the absurdities of the Modem and the Mahotuetan reli-
gions,they might prepare the 'Rinds of their hearers to
receive the truths of Christianity, It washy diseusdon
that they expected to prevail. Upon what pnucipla then
were we prepared to debar others from putting forward
those opinion., which they were convinced themselies
were founded in truth ? Christianity had too firmly
withstood the attacks of able and well informed enemies,
to be in the least endangered by the writings of those ig-
norant and incapsble persons who openly assailed the
Christian faith. There was no argument they coold use
which was not before snore ably and forcibly urKed. His
opinion was, Coat they who opposed discussion felt
some distrust of the truth of that which they wished
to screen from inquiry. The Honourable Gentle-
man then quoted passages from Talmoo. South,
and Warburton, in which those eminent persons strongly
advocated the propriety of free inpliry and discussion.
Besides the wickedest* of punishing a man for religi-
'one opinions, persecution defeated its owe object. The man
who took the pens to put forth his doctrines mast be
persuaded that he was right. To persecute each an in-
dividual, was not only a violation• of the liberty of the
press, but it was putting fetters on the exertions of the
saunas mind. With respect to punishing for indecent
and,intempuste strictures, he would beg the Mouse to
consider well the opinions of Dr. Gardner in answer to
Woolaton, who had written a most indecent pamphlet
against the Christian faith. The opinion of rfr, Lerdoer
was, that the proper punishment of low and in lucent ri•
baldry was contempt. If the punishment of tide person,
continued that teamed. writer, be too great, public indig-
nation will be turned the other eray—and on the other
hand. a small punishinenewill be a stimulus to proceed.
This passage exactly applied to Carlile's publications.
Those publications he most say were sesodslous. He never
van sny of that individual's writing until he was called on
to present his petition. He was then ledweed to take op
some numbers of his Republican—Helmnd Mimeos:ocelot
temporate discessions. But other parts of those 'ridings
were so utterly low and disgusting, so revolting to the com-
mon sense and feelings of mankiel, that he wondered bow it
could ever be thought by any one. that such a publication
wee in any way dangerous. There was not a man capable
of reading such things, that mild not find in every sentence, a
complete antidote against the poisons which It might con-
vey. Wes it not then the most obvious coarse to let such
publications pass unnoticed. As soon as the author was
made the object of a prosecution, and condemned to a gaol.
sympathy was excited in his *moor, and his writings were
made known. Who would ever have beard of hlr.Csrble
odd his writings, but for those impolitic prosecutions? He
did not attechany blame to Government. The law oMcerp
of the Crown spry properly ahstained from patting the law
in force action so obscure an lodividral, knowing that by
doing so they would be taking the most effectual steps toe
wards raising him into notice. The Society for the Sup.
pression of Vice..and the Bridge-street Associetion were
chargeable with the whole Mane. It. was they that gave
importance to Carlile. end supplied him *till' followers, un-
til at last these persons hear the sentence of a Court of
Justice with a sort. of triumph, and assume the tone
of martyrs. • All Cultic's efforts before his prose-
cation, could not get more than 500 copies of Paine's
book off his hands. Atter that he sold 20,000. He
actually a..ld 30,030 copies of that work. In like
manner Cain and Lawrence's Lectures were recommended
by persecetloo, to general attention, and were greedily
in the bands of Providence to promoteinquiry —to produce
bought up. Apia Cantle's Republkan, which sold but
2.000 a week, was raised to 13.003 copies a week by the
prosecution of his wife. Time Hon. Member .tbse qioted
the opieipes of Dr. Watson and Dr. Campbell in favour of
fife Inquiry. There were so many strong reasons in fa-
Nen of it, that he wondered how any society of person,
could systematically set aboutehecking it. These societies
had much to entree for. He my mein regretted that Jodi-
t Slushier gin' weight and respectability shoeld beledneed
to lend themselves to any such system, which, after all, On
but a cloak coder which, agents and secretaries carried on
their own iuterestml purposes. .Toe Hon. Gentleman lastly
quoted tmissige from a charge delivered by the Bishop of
London, in July, IRV, to his Clergy. The passage in
was that the oureveganeles of infidelity were means
s argument to raise ap fresh advocates in the cause of truth.
The lion. Member referred to the opioiene of Blackstoue.
es to the impoliey of persecution. lie had said nothing of
Atheism, nor did hetidisk ireecessary, Um conceived it to
be on opinion bottite to the principles of civil society. In-
deed be never yet conversed with any men whom he consi-
dered to be en Atheist. If. did not think it possible that a
human being 111 possession of his sense!, could ever come
to the persuasion that there wee no such thing as t don or
a first cause. The Hon. Member, after some few observa-
tions, moved the following resolution:—"Tint it is the opi-
Lion of this House that free discussion is attended
more benefit than injury, and that It is unjust to expose any.
one to legal penalties on account of the expression of hit
opinions in matters of religion."
The motion basting been put from the Chair and se-
conded,
Bk. WILBERFORCE proceeded to address th e Hops.,
but in a tome so low, as to be fur a considerable time in'
audible in the Gallery. IVe at length understood the
Hon. Member to defend the Constitutional Society and
the Society for the Suppression of Vieein the course they
had taken, and to maintain that both bodies were not
only justified. but mach to be applauded for having ex-
erted themselves for the suppression of offences, which in
every sense was contra boos°. mores. The Honourable
DietUher proceeded to read extracts from some of the
offensive publications alluded to, in one of which it was
stated " that Christianity could be proved to be the
grossest imposture, and as it had been for some time a,
minis prop by which to support the monarchical principle,
surprise was expressed that the hiairbag mind of neeeo
bad not long since got rid of it.'' The Honoe-ablir
Member (Mr. Hume) had quoted -several high and re-
spectable authorities. for the purpose of 'hewing that a
great latitude ought to be allowed he all religious die-
cossions. No man was more ready than be (Mr. Wilber.
force) was to allow each a latitude to its fullest extent ;
but he felt drat io giving this allowsnee, a check ought
to he imposed upon gross licentiousness and profane
ribaldry. The Numerable Member had quoted tba
writiops of several Divines; be (Mr. Wilkerforce) wad/
oppose to him the doctrines of Dr. Paley. a man of amerst
liberal and enlightened mind. That Rev. Divine, speak-
ing of toleration, thus delivered himself: " Under the ides
of religions toleration, 1 conclude the toleration of all
books of serious argumentation; but I deem it no infringes
meat of religious liberty to restrain the circulation of ri-
dicule, invective, and mockery, upon religious subjects ; be-
tau* this species of writing applies solely to the passions;
weakens time judgment, and contaminates the 'origin i-
lion of its readers; has no tendency wits:ever to assist
either the investigation or the imp 'on of truth; on
the eastracyi whilst it stay not to distinguish the charac-
ter or the authority of different religions. it destroys alike
the indstence of all." He quoted this passage, for the
Pura! of **Wing bow meth the Hon. Member had
boos mistaken in his argument. Mach stress had been
laid upowtho peouweiion of Carlile, bet was it not a well
-Initurafact Pliat thsehop of that perso, had b.en crowded
inside and siotsideeday and night, for several months, in
consequence of his having stiled it " The Temple of Res.:
son. 4 He Was swore that tinsel pains were daily taken
to prevent the public from being eovrepted by dueb doc-
trines, and he trusted that the Legislative we9ld pa or:
brook in support of the efforts mede by private iildg4
deals to give to the most humble classes of society
and vi steeps Itducaterin. The Hon. Member next arleemapt
to what had been said relit veto foreign missiinaaries,niki

-

41%

'rHE

the grossestwady igneinsset.t eadravoured to instil
the principles Of Meistianity in fits isild'est and most for-
bearingswannee.Affer. a few otter reintirki, the Milton.]
able Member concluded byobserving, that while he was.,
ready to allow the fullest and freest discussion upon rel..
gious questions; he was still determined to adhere tiv
very admirable distiktion drawn iffy Paley bet Ween reli-
gions discussion and gross ribaldry and indecency of
expression—(hear, hear.\
Mr. RICARDO had beard a considereble part of the
speech of‘ the Honourable Member who had just set
down, with a great deal of pleasure: be also confessed
that another portion of tbe same addrest hld given him
no inconsiderable pain. Some of the Honourable Gen-
tlemsn's arguments had stated distinctly, that no m*n
bad, a right to dictate to another what religious doc-
Irises be ought to entertain. No, the Honourable Mem-
ber for Bramber bail wholly disclaimed any particip thou
in such bigotted notions; he professed himself a friend
bathe toleration of all religious sentiments, if expressed
with decency and discretion. It was undoubtedly true
that Paley had made the exception which the Honour-
Uhl Member for Bramber had taken—an objection on
which that Honourable Gentleman had principally r -
lied. • With respect to treating religious subjects with
ribaldry and derision, there was no difference whatever
between them. But he certainly did differ with him
greatly on other points—for instance, when he looked at
the prosecutions which had taken place against that much
Nueva individual. R. Carla*, for selling The Age of
Roams; when lie looked at the same individual kept
fu prison for ltf weeks, on the allegation of having pub-
lished the Parodies of . Mr. Hone. and it was not
Sittil the author had bees acquitted that Mr. tart!e
was liberated without even the form of a Mil.. Now,
. the Honourable Gentleman bad bees Consistent
is his argument, there would have been as differeoce
Whatever on this point between them; for aeserding to
die larger portion of his speech, he Has bound to ac-
knowledge the persecution of this individual in as strong
twits as those made use 44'4 the Hon. Mover and himself.
Ho would.repeat that no man's religion could have any
baleful effect whatever. No one had a right to say 6. my
Opinion is true; yours is not true, and therefore I will
punish you." it would be dilecult when the proposition
wee put ia this simple form, to find any man hardy
enough openly to advocate a• moutrons a doctrine. He
bail stated on a former debate on a similar question, that
if e, man were asked whether he believed in a future state,
andlial the honesty to say that lie did not believe, that
thed his oath would be rejeCted ; whereas if a man, also
an unbeliever, with less honesty, were to profess himself
a believer, then his testimony would he received. No-
' thing could be more absurd than this. so long as the
truth of the answer given depended Gyms the veracity of
the respondent, coil no 'proof was admitted. It was nei-
ther more ror less than a premium, for perjury. When,
on the former occasion. Ise (Mr. Hume) bad applied the
term" honest man ' to the person who would be challeng-
ed, there was a general laugh in the House, for it was
thooght quite impossible that a man who did not believe
in a future state could have any pretensions to honesty!—
He, however. did not eotertain any such narrow doc-
trines. Hie for one, contended. that a man might disbe-
lieve in a future state, and still be an honest man. There
were other sanctions, he conceived, besides religion, for
the honesty and morality of mankind. Religion was
certainly a sanction above all ethers, but it was a libel
upon human nature to-say. that becalau an individual did
not believe certain ()pillions, that he could not be an
honest man. The Hon. (lent. here read a passage of Arch-
bishop Tillotson to the same effect, and then ofiserved,there
mil an individual whose name was known to every ono I
both in and eat of that Hons., sod whose benevoleneel
and goodoess few were unacquainted with—who was pos.
seised of a pure heart and unsullied character, but net-*
witli,tanding was a disbeliever io a future state; he al.
Ruled to Mr. Owen, of Lanark. lie would ask, whether
seiefi a man ought to be subjected to punishment? wii&
%thee such a man ought to be immured a a gaol for lila
He did think that the Honourable Gentleman bad him-
self furnished an argument which would bear him out in,
saying, that such a system was ab%mibable and absurd:
There was no necessity for troubling the House much
further ; bat be would remark on the opinion which had
"been often broached, namely, that religion ought to be
established in a State, sot from the mejority of the Heir
hers of that State believing is such religion, but bee
it was true. Now, if there was any distinct and acknow-
ledged test of the'truth of religion, we might admit this
mode of establishing a State Religion; but as that wall
impossible—as it WAS impossible for any man to arrogate
to himself the establishment of any particular and mils:,
sive religion, then the religion which ought to be gate-
blished in a community should be the religion of the
greater number. If our opinion of the truth was to be
the sole test for the opinion of all countries under our do-
minion; then, we might as well establish .the Protestant
religion in India, as it bad been so long attempted in
freland.—(Hear, hear.) lie would make one obserration,
before he sat down ; he hoped and trusted, that be had
steered clear of expressing any cipiniem which, by any
interpretatioa whatever. it would be supposed, that be-
cause he defended the liberty of religious doctrines. h.
himself entertained any obnoxious opiuion, and lie beg.'
ged that none such might be fixed upon him.—(Hear.)
Mr. HORACE TWISS had heard many quotations In tbef
course of the evening, and he would add one other authority;
which at least would have the merit of being applicable tol
the question under discussion. Ile spoke of the Address
voted by the House of Commons in 1691, which prayed,
*song other things, that the Judges and Magistrates might
be commanded by Proclamation to prosecute all wdrks of a
licentious and Immoral tendency, and to suppress all books
and pamphlets which militiated spinet religion, and that
the authors should be punished. To this Address Ring
William was advised to make the followjug Answer:—" '
shall give immediate directions in the several particulars re-
quired, but I wish more effectual provisions to be made for
the suppression of obnoxious books and pamphlets." The
Honourable Gentleman thought this authority ought tgrbs
tolerably satisfactory. He made a wide distinction betweis
religious and political opinions. He admitted the cull arise
log from the prosecution; but making this 'admission, war'
the offender, for that reason, to escape altogether ? Some
of the Gentlemen who advocated the p motion, who
had talked so loudly about religious liberty os a resent de-
bate, when the object was to make certain concessions to
the Catholics, hail purposely quitted their seats, and left the
House and the Bill to its fate, when by their presence they
might have saved It from a defeat [hear, hear For his
own part, he boasted of the laws wider which be lived
[hear ! from the Opposition], sod with that feeling he felt
himself bound to vote against a motion which ran directly
counter to them [heir!]. •
Mi. WILLIAM SMITH said that this was a vary grave
subject, and except when, as on the present occasion, it was
mixed up with certain questions of law, he deprecated its
discussion la that House; and, even under such circum-
stances, it smelt not to be frequently agitated. He could
tsot help thinking that these subjects were always better con-
veyed through the medium of the Press, chap by a debate in
that House. where the discussion was necessarily- limited,
end angry and violent feelings were likely to obtrude. Nu
man felt greater disgust, or a more Unfeigned abhorrence at
the opinions of Cartile shah himself, still he was a filmed to
the freedom of dismission on religious giabjects.
Mr. T. WILSON trusted that the vote of the House would
thew that their sentiments were not in unison with those of
' the Hoe. Gentleman. He -considered the publications as
calculated to do much 'Mashie, by falling into the hands of
the lower orders; who, if mice they took iu the poison,
were not likely to loot for the antidote.
Mr. MONEY thought, that since Pirdanteet and different
Societies exerted themselves so zilch to diffuse the blessings
of ednesiion, they were booed to take care that these Mess-
ing, should not be abused. He defended the Disseatee•from
the chergcof ooderasinlng she Church Establishmeitts add
viedtcated Mr. Owen from the imputation of disbelief in A
future state. He would beg to ask the lion. Meatier fir