The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-07-17
renaissance PER Assen. N ADVANCE
Toierduou


federation
In considering the opinions, religious
or political, of those who differ from us,
we should also remember that we differ
as widely from our opponents as they
from US, and that they have the same
right to prescribe Us for entertaining
opinions at variance with them, as we
have to prescribe them for entertaining
opinions differing from ours. Go into
any court of justice where mere matter
of fact is controverted, and we observe
that the evidence has produced different
effects. Rarely does a jury retire and
perfect unaGimity is found to exist be-
tween them as to the verdict. Some
times days are required to bring about har-
mony between them, and they are often
compelled to separate without agreeing. IF
this is true in questions of fact. how much
greater will be the case when applied to
questions which are net susceptible CT
demonstration, but depend upon hearsay
evidence, or is matter of mere belief?
We can see no reason why we should
disagree with our neighbors because they
have different organization from ours,
or because they are more credulouS and
can base their belief upon less evidence
than we can.
In the days of the Spanish Inquisition,
the priests practiced the greatest cruelties
upon their subjects for difference of be-
lief. We lock out upon the dark Past and
see the millions of lives sacrificed to the
tyranny of religious opinion, and do not
wonder that some of the same spirit
has reached the present age Once it
was the practice of our New England pu-
riianical fathers to hang witches and
whip Quakers, and Danish Baptists, but
we have no idea that their descendants
anticipate reviving their intolerant and
proscrpitive policy here in Kansas. Free
dom of speech, which friend denounced
the other day, as "humbug," and free
dom of the press, must and shall be main
tanned on the soil of Kansas.
fla Methodist or Presby desires
to be heard in Lawrence, advocating his
views in regard to the atonement, or
the doctrine of future rewards and punish
ments, we shall hear him if we please,
and if no., We shall quietly retire, and
leave those to hear his arguments who
have desire to do so. Not they only,
but if a Unitarian or Universalist talks
against the doctrine of total depravity,
the deity of Jesus Christ, or in favor of
the ultimate holiness and happiness of
all men, We expect that he, too, will be
treated with courtesy, and be allowed to
close without interruption.
Ifa Spifitualist desires to tell US that he
has evidences in favor of the Immortality
of the soul, which cannot be controverted;
that 10 him, his evidence is higher than
the Bible, and carries greater conviction
with it, than any sayings he finds in a
book whose authenticity has been sub
Ject of controversy for many centuries,
and whose teachings, though in many
respects worthy a God, in Others is rep
resented TO justify war, murder and vio-
lence, and is quoted in yindication OF
slavery, intemperance, polygamy and 9TH
er base crimes, is unworthy of its repu-
ted origin, we expect that if the idea
which has prevailed in the northern
States is to prevail here, he will be allow
ed to speak, and though we may not en-
dorse his views, yet we shall listen to him
If we choose, and will stand by Others
who do so, and viii guarantee to him
freedom of speech while thus talking il
Lawrence. If he abuses this freedom BY
immoral or profane language, We shall ex.
pect some injured party to arraign hin
before our courts for redress of erieyen.
ces, but we have no idea that a s.ol
will be permitted to silence him.
Because we stood in the street tn.
other night, and EsteneF to Mr.. DgS
Toy, IN his discourse, on what he termed
rational religion. our contemporarv W,
are told, arraignsd as atthe bar of publ,
opinion, aud has labored through Who'll,
column article to make us responsible foral
the speaker said on that occasion. TIL,
publishers welcome to all the capital, pas
and prospective, which he makes out 0
such course. Whilst he lets loose th,
dogs OF war. and plays the narrow soulee
agot we shall pursue the same liberal pol
icy which has characterized our iourna
IN the past. All religionists shall fnt
protection IN our columns, and have al
equal right to demand justice from Us
While the people in the streets will Sc,
that they are protected from insult or VIC
lence, come from what quarter ii NAV.
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Determined 10 be False.
Edughoa, the editor of the Leavcnwortl
Tines, persists in representing the Hsral
Of Freedom as an " administration organ j,