The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-12-30
From the Delaware Free pross.
ABOLITION or PERSECUTION IN
WILMINGTON.

The Delaware Free Press is partly own
ed and edited by members Of tho society oi
Friends. a question arose among them
whether such publi,ation was conssien,
with the principles upon which the society
was founded:--as this paper is absolutely
what II pretends 10 be- Free Press. pa
per where no subject can be excluded If the
language and manner are not objectionable
the principle contendcd for may be con
sdcred a5 fairly settled.
A question involving the liberty OF the
press, iS under any circumstances, the
most important consideration that can at.
tract tho attention Of a thinking and n ra.
tionul people, but when we consider Free
Press 10 bc superstition's dcadliest ioe,-
1t is in religious society, like unto n con
sumirg fire; il purfies the whole moss--it
consumes every gross material, and leaves
nothing but the pure gold, lit would neces
sarily try the faith of q saint,--and forms a
sufficient apology for the alarm Of those
who considered the tolcration ofsuch a pn
per as striking u deadly blow at the chris.
tan religion"
Tho question came before the Monthly
Meeting, on the 29h day Of last month,
which with the addition Of n large com
miltec from the Quarterly Meeting, seri
ously considered the subject, and decided,
leaving out but five voices in the whole
meeting opposed to proving all things and
holding fast that which is good 1t was
the most solemn scene | ever witnessed,
and il may be fairly said, that he who holds
his religion in defiance ofa Free Press,
feels himself founded upon that rock which
can never be shaken.
The Ruhicon is now passed, Tor whatcv.
or sentiments the meeting may entertain in
relation to tho Del Free Press, one prnci
plo they have uncquivocolly settlcd--thdi
prosecutions for opinion'S sake ceases wiihin
their Jurisdiction, from this time henceforth,
and foreper. Its members are now no Ion
ger to be harrassed for bad belief they.orc
now alone responsible In its authority. FOR
the violation of its testimonies; which are
all acknowledged rules Of morality.
They have carried into practice the dec.
laration of rights made nv the yearly mcct.
ing in ls27,--thcy acknowledge by this
act. that If God alone is the sovereign
Lord of conscience, no Monthly Meeting
can be: Mother has any human authority
on earth any right to interfere IN such o
question.
We now know what to do. Opinions
are free and that freedom Is dcined;- they
will now pass for what they ate worth and
nothing more. Each member is accounta
bic to his conscience for his opinions, and
TO the society for HE actions. No opinion
can be construed into an action, until il
shows itselfby immoral conluct--anl then
the charge must be founded on the mmor
slity and not on the opinion, ,--consequcn
oil opinions are free.
As bclefis now an individual affair. or a
Kind OF private property, no member has y
right to injurc the character of another Cot
having rs much or as little "a suits his in
cline'ion; II is now tale. bearing and de
traction to represent the opinions of others
ss wicked. reproachful, or ininrious to so.
eiety,' without having some innoral prac
tice to Justify such charges. Members are
now liable 10 be dealt with FOR such con
duct, it being personal injury,--a msd