The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-12
A TRUMPET BLAST.
BY ROWING HARRY.

Don't like freedom of speech! Well, my
dear sir, what do you likei Don't like free
discussion! don't like to hear an opinion ad-
vanced contrary to your own notions of
things! Why, sir, body weud think you
belonged to the times Of Galleo, or some
other antiquated period. One might sup
pose you were educated under the ancient
regime, had fallen in trance, and just been
resuscitated- you had been playing the
part of Rip Van Winkle, and had slept away
an age or two. Why, my dear fellow, this
is the nineteenth century, the age of free dis
cusson. In these times we have press as
free ms the air we breathe; free argumenta-
tion of all kinds of topics, and freedom of
opinion and faith as broad as the universe.
Why, sir, principle,a a belief,a sentiment,
an opinion, or whatever else you have mind
to name, is not worth the holding unless it
will bear the closest scrutiny. What is any
dogma or opinion good for if it will not bear
the light of reason! Every principle or
doctrine advanced should bear handling with
out gloves. When you embrace any belief,
do not fear to look the thing full in the face;
turn il round, and examine it in all its bear
ings, and ascertain whether it is likely to ben.
eft you in this life, for chat which will do
you no good in time will not be likely to
han oft vnn IN atarnitv
None but a restless being would trust him
self with gun the strength of which had
not been tested; and none but those whose
minds need expansion would subscribe TO
any creed or dogma, unless it was for the ac-
complshment of some selfish end.
Do you wish to have the limits of your
thought and action circumscribed? Do you
want your mental faculties entIraled p
Would YOU wish to be enslaved, AMI not al
lowed the privilege-the glorious liberty of
giving vent to your honest convictions?
think not. Then, il this be so, do not un-
dertake to hedge in the mind-man's high
est gift, but give il perfect freedom.
All, you do not fear to hear opposite views
TO your own! You would not hesitate 10
discuss any subject, or read books and pa
pers about things which you do not believe
| You have no fears, then, of having your o,on
mind changed from the tenets you now hold;
but you do fear the influence of such things
upon others! Now, why are you not will
ing to allow Others to depend on their own
judgment as we'll as you! Do you consid-
er your mind SO much superior! Yes see
how It is, every body thinks himself the best
Judge in matters of faith, and each one wish
es to draw out creed for himself, aud have
all the world subscribe to it.
| AWAY with s.-h -'--'''''~'So "o''0''", "'""'
KIND have long enough been driving down
the current Of time in the narrow channel; il
is high time for each and every one to open
| his heart and mind to receive truth and
goodness from what ever source it comes
and strive to advance in the light of life as
becomes an immortal soul.
When, oh when will men and women learn
and teach their children, 10 love their Gre
ator with all their hearts, and each other
equal with their self love? When this takes
place, and not before, may we expect to see
the dawnings of glorious millennium.