The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-11-13
Is IL Come To Thiss

Will Univefsalisss practice what they
decidedly and almost universally con-
denim in their opposersi-Will they rob
a man Of his living because he will not
follow the rules Of policy which they pre-.
scribel Have they so soon forgotten ,ha,
they once emerged from mental bondage
"a bondage which the spirit of anti
christ aimed to impose and perpetuatel
Why, then, 10 there disposition man.
ifestcd, that would stifle free inquiry y,
saying, thus far shalt thou come and
no farther =
have been induced to make these
inquiries. on Witnessing the course pur.
sued by some ofihe patrons of this pa
per. Because r. s. has recently written
and published much on tho subject OF
prayer, and has said many things not in
accordance with their views, they have
threatened. unless he leaves the subject
Immediately. to discontinue their papers!
Now l skis this either republic an
or ehristianf That it is proper for any
man, when he 10 dissatisfied with the
general course pursued by an Editor or
Editors to Withdraw his support from the
paper, readily grant. But this is not
the question. Tho case is thus The
publisher ofa paper. employs three Ed
iso's, who from oil appearances make
the paper an acceptable messenger to
tho people, until one Of them INTRODUCES
subjec, which some think improper.
Soon as il Is ascerta,ned what his IN
dividual opinion 10, they inform the pub
Usher that IL that subject is introduced
into the paper again they will cease to
patronize it n!
This, then. is the way that we Univer.
salists 60 to work to promote free inqui-
ry. We will not 60 forward and show a
man what we believe to be his errors
we will not in a friendly manner tell
him We fear he is doing our cause an in
jury-No; hut we will tell him in the
fret place he cannot be employed as an
Editor, unless there are patrons-and in
the second place, that zoe viH not be pat.
rons, unless be will let US hold his quill,
or direct him how far and in what man.
ncr snbject mny be investigated! Is
this getting to be Universalismi Ifso 1
pray to be delivered from it. r. s. 10
told he shall not be censured for holding
his opinions, II he viii only keep them to
himsey-i, .. put his candle under q
busheI. and thus violate the express
command pf Jesus Let your light
shine before men,
Now, brethren, you know ,hat this is
just What Limitarians say to Universal
lists in their churches--you know that i,
is directly calcula,edto make hypocrites,
and you know too, that we are uniform
in condemning il. How 10 it possible
that persons protesting to search
for truth should lift their heels agains,
the first man that dares to step out Of the
beaten track. I am perfectly astonished
,hnt any should CO ndemn an ,nvesti CATION
Of the subject Of prayer: aud though
cannot see in this matter exactly as Mr..
Smith does yet say with Jefferson,
that error may safely be tolerated, rAen
reason Is free u combat e. If discuss
ion Of this matter noy strengthen the
prejudices Of some, il may throw ligh,
upon the minds Of others. I dcprecate
every form Of tyranny over the mind Of
man. ! conclude this article by asking
those who will jiscontinue. their papers
because Of what r. 8. has ssid, one PLAIN
question. viz. Do you wish the Relig.
,ous Inquirer may this moment cease to
bel Your example ssys yes ReIig.
fsqmirsr.