Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-12-29

If .llct the world, creation was a cine; 4
For what is crime but of misery!
Young
Several weeks ago. read IN the u effcrsonian'' ,
some remarks by Robert Dale Owen. | intended {
1t that time to make some observations upon .
them; but other engagements enerossing my at
tention the undertaking has been deferred to the
present time.
Reputation may may not correctly portray
a mans character; lis denea,ons often fall
lacons. But no can have any objection to
being judged by his avowels. 1t is by the
voluntary declarations Of the individual, whose
name stands at the head of this article, chat |
shall be governed IN the remarks may have &C.
casion to make.
In looking over some ofhis writings pub';s.ed IS
or 10 years ago. find much thu. : cun cor
daily concur in, much that should be glad to see
exerting a wide influence upon humankind, much
that | have always entertained an hope never
TO abandon. But standing these .hings Dc, in
conneXion with other opinions of vastly different
features they serve but as gliding to the bitter
pill, nay worse, swectening to tho deadly
draught. To continue the figure, it is true the
physician does not profess to practice; he
does not urge the swallowing OF his potion, he
does not deal out his
-periodic potions for :a- SEX;
but the pill and its bitterness remain the draught
and its deadincss continue. If r. d. c. Il 5 at
last seen the dangerous tendency Of his charac-
terIsuc views; II he has experienced their evil
effects; If he has witnessed their desolating force
upon himself and his former comradee; why
should he not the world of the conceal
alton, that they may watt it far and wide-an
antAote to the still operative banc. If he is now
willing to acknowledge that - 10 years ac,'
his notions of morality were .uItra,' that ne then
cntert aimed and avowed ''herolicaL sentiments
that the -. fresh and sanguine season of early
YOUTH mpelIed him into Elusive considcrti MS: if
he then erred and is now s.in the confessional
why not exert t. the utmost those talents to OF
pose that which lac BY those same talents 50 fait
fully, so steadily, and alas with so di-eful conse
quences defended. Tae evil he has done. he
should countorpoise by the good he can do. This
IS the least that can be asked by the christian
world.
How many Of his victims now lie whitening
under the frost of Sccplcisin! how tnanv have
been driven upon the bleak h of Atheisgn and
been thrust into the horrible pit of Basphctnv
Is il manly TO leave them in this 8retchcd con
dition? Does not justice call for his aid? Does
not mercy cry?
Let him display some of those brlian virtues
which he so strongly 3sls ted upon in the rec En-
qurer;' let hn exhibit that moral courage, anC
that candor and that friendship for trutr, which
50 frequently ELECTED his commentators at tna
time. II he does disavow those pernic 5 doc
trnes for which he once so pow try c7otcndet
i let him show that moral courage, at cardor ani
: that friendship for truth. by remuneration a
plain and public as those doc:rines arc. If III
/ has discovered means by which the tallacy 0
o his opinions has been detected in the name @
humanity let hin acquaint his companions an
; his prcsolytcs with them; let them have the ben
EFT OF his deeper scrutiny, they have IT. tn
u illusions of his early youth" Let h II nob
I dare TO enroll his name on the shining out to
short catalogue of converted scept;cs; thus wi
y ne declare the sincerity OF his opinions in tinlo
) the opposite shore lsceptcisml fair and easan'
J" land of freedom and of virtue whence terror
+ banishcd and tranquility reicps:' when n1 en- 3u
! aged him who was "boId swimmer ls....ossiy
''attempt the passage; that lie will rey CT rers
past when he said: u know as little abs, the c,
" lstence aud nature ola SOD or Gods, a. . 90 abol
: the existence and nature OF solar beings: and
- trouble myseFas little about the one as the other
when he ufgel that the world, abucaas :. as it dos
N MISERY, does net bear the '.irnprezs of Ineffab
Goodness and Onnipotent Power tnlt &c ifh
&c existed, could not be .Omnipotent and benevolent
/ because "Omnipotence could and beneyoIenc
,couid have prevented evil" when he alleged hi
e he had crossed the Rubeon s.in safety, anu lour
the efforts may cost him." that "He will b
icome better, wiser, and-.rv exr1-.ence f
d ia happier man"
;, And has he At length ascertaincd that the 20
posite shore" is not .'lair and pleasant that il
stead of a ..land of virtue.' il is a land Of vic
whence tranquility sis banished" ami terrt
"reigns?' Has he, since the s'frcsh and sa
gune season of early youth" has passed ava
experienced that his increased wisdom and ha
pness were an illusion and instead of being be
ter wiser and happier he vas worse, more /!