Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-03-06
From No abs Neap York Star.


From No abs New York Star.
The untimely and melancholy death of G. c.
Cohen, the chemist produced great sensa-
ton generally but more particularly among
those who knew him; and we are gratiled to
learn that the iberality ofhis friends will enable
his widow and children to return with comfort
to their home and family.
Mr.. Cohen, though quite young man, was
an excellent practical chemist, and his readings
generally were varied, scientific, and full of in
terest; but in matters of religion, he took SIN
gular and extraordinary turn, and from being
well educated in the Jewish faith, he became an
atheist; and we think we can safely say, almost
the only one of that persuasion who, in any
change of religion, utterly abandoned and sur
rendered all belief in a first great cause. MIR.
Cohen Joined the society of Free Enquirers, and
preached atheistical doctrines, and was COR
respondent and contributor to their paper; and
we now notice this fact, to relate singular Cir
cumstance connected with his writings and
death
1t is known that the Rev. Abner Kneeland,
was recently tried and convicted in Boston, of
atheism, and before sentence he published kind
of explanation of his creed, which, in a great
measure, softened, if it did not entirely do away,
with the belief that he was an atheist. This re-
cantation gave great offence to the Free Enqui-
rers generally but particularly to Mr.. Cohen,
the Free Enquirer, published in this city. The
words of Mr.. Kneeand were
Hence am not an atheist, but a pantheist;
that is, Instead of believing there is no God, |
believe, in the abstract that all is God and that
all power that is, is God, and that there is no
power except that which proceeds from God"
In an article which he signs with his name,
Mr.. Cohen assails such "jargon," as he called
it, and makes this emphatic remark:
" For n,y olon part, Ishould sag, can attach
no idea to the aeoTd God, and cannot, consequent
ly, believe in him."
This was printed on Saturday, February Is,
although the paper issues on Sunday and on Sa-
turday, on the very day that such an avoWal
was made under the deliberate sanction Of his
name, he was blown to pieces in his laboratory,
while making Eliminating powder. His head,
we learn, by an understanding among the Free
Enquirers, was given to the society for phreno-
logical studies; his arm, which was blown off,
has not since, as we are told been found. Thus,
his body has gone one way his head another,
and his limb another-scattered, we may say,
to the winds. Now, philosophers may smile,
ree-thinkers may laugh, and atheists may ridi-
cule the idea Of divine interpositon or divine
vengeance-all have a right to make their COM
ment. We only state the fact, and, say what
they may, it is singular coincidence of pro-
fessiOn and catastrophe. We never have APP
piled the word infde TO an Atheist;-he who
does not believe, no matter in what rules OF
faith, is an infidel We are all infidels in some
things, but an Atheist believes in nothing Our
laws, even in this free country, punish certain
offences against religion, such as blasphemy,
profanity, indecent railings-they punish, be-
cause these are offences against socety-against
public feeling; they are contra bonos mores: but
we assume the fact that no law should punish
a man for being an Atheist because no human
tribunal should assume the power OF punish
ment on point which belongs to God himself
Besides, If there is danger from infidelity-from
open revilings of rehgon-there is none from
Atheism; for converts are seldom made to doc
trines against which all Nature cries aloud
! We intend no reflection on free inquirers by
these observations. We know many of them
personally, and know them as worthy men,
whom we would trust, who have good feelings,
and moral principles; and while we look with
I surprlze and regret at their infatuatlon on this
| point we would not abrdge single right which
| they possess. as citizens, to believe in what
they please, so that society and good GO
vernment are not thereby injured. Poor Co.
hen was Jew, wel-educated Jew-of all ma.
| tons on earth the last to renounce their Cod
his choSenfavored peOple-he who brought them
out of the land of Egypt--from captivity and
| bondage-who was their cloud by day, andltheir
pillar of fire by night-who gave into their sa fe-
/ keeping the great moral law which now governs
| every civilized nation-he who even now keeps
them together as distinct and separate nation
! for great objects hereafter. To dsclaim and
renounce and deny that God is most rare and
extraordinary instance indeed! To so live
without faith, and die without hope--to openly
deny the existence of God, and in the same mo-
ment, as it were, be hurried into his presence!
| If men cannot believe, will not believe, lei
| them be silent, and not proclaim 10 the world
| their heresy with the view of making converts