New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-11-08
NetpDork DAILY Gribm,re
FREE LOVE.
To ths E1io1 Of he y. ]. Tribtm<.

To tie Editor Of Tie n. y. Tribtn&
SIR: Daring some five or SIX years Pbst, and
especially Of late the Newspaper Press has made free
use Of my name in connection with what II denom
mates the Doctrine OF Free Love. Every variety OF
Interpretation has been put upon my opinions usually
the least favorable which the imagination OF the writer
could devise, with view, apparently, Of cutvating
still further the natural prejudice existing IN the pubic
mind against any bold enough TO agate the dei-
cate An difficult question Of the true relations OF the
sexes. and the egt role which the Passions were
intended 10 play in the economy OF the Universe.
During the same period have allowed the Press TO
make what havoc i: pleased Of my reputation, NJ
tering no word Of explanation reply; for the reason
that neither Press nor People were, az believe, pre-
pared to do justice IN the premises ami preferred
TO "bide my time rather than seek or accept the
stinted half justice which might, perhaps, have
suppLcated ard obtained. Noe. or ali OF my eodoc-
triuares have pursued the same course Two results
have followed First, in the abserce Of any readiness
on the part of the public to know the truth on the SUBJ
iect false exravsgant, and ridiculous notions have
flooded the country in its stead secondly, IN the ab
sence Of any opportunity for juicous popular ad-
vocacy OF Social Freedom, and despite abuse, the
doctrine itself has made unprecedented progress, until
at tbis day its advocates numbered by thousands.
while there are included among them unusual rro-
portion OF the wealthy, intelligent and refined.
However Aattering it might be, under ordinary cir
cumstances TO have large corps of learned and re-
spectacle gentlemen, Ike the members OF the ffess,
anxious to eIpound ones opinions, confess thse
should prefer to represent my own CONVICTIONS ana
views Should the time have arrived therefore, when,
in your judgment il will better subserve the wants OF
the public 20 have ar authentic statement of doctrine
L a. al IN he
befogged and deceived by false confused and conflict.
ing reports you will, at the same time, confer per-
sona favor by publishing the following definition OF
Free Love.
America, and through il, the world, have been re-
Gently startled shocked ana Mortified even, by the
uouncemen, OF new freedom, the Freedom OF Love.
II may be well 10 reflect ,ha, every idea, iraughs
with any genuine greatness or value has, 10 other
times startled, shocked, and Mortified the public IN
whore ears il was first uttered and to inquire whether
We in our day may not BE- percbance, repeating the
same ridiculous farce the nightmare Of the worlds
infancy, the paIic OF ignorance and verdancy, with
which the race hes always hitherto accorded recep
ton 70 every new dspensaiion of the truth.
ls there anything 20 terrfy the Imagination IN he
idea of Freedom Is not Freedom already reeog
nzed and worshped a goddess, and her image
stamped upon the coin Of the realm Is L Love that
is viewed az monster, whose very name pa:alyzes
with fear There are ancient writings not little re-
vered among US, which declare that " Love - The iu
filing of the law" aud again, that " God Is Love-
How, then. does il happen that Free Love- or the
Freedom of Loving Hearts, should be word OF ter
Tor to mankind, so that the world forgets her pro-
prety, and is made 10 misbehave herself, WE NJ
seemy alarm, al the mention If an genealogical
combination, the elements OF which, uttered separately
fall with the soothing cadence Of lullaby upon the
came exci.able nerves
Free Love is simply me anti;hess of enslave; Love-
This is equally true in al the OF which the word
is susceptible whether confined 20 the smauve and
sentimental relation Of the sexes enlarged 20 signify
the whole affec;ional nature of man.
In beginning an agitation for tue emanc patton OF
the human race from the tyranny which prescr.bes
what il is lawful for them 70 feel the writer Of this L.
tended the freedom o. the whole range OF the alice
tons and adopted as the technically 10 express that
idea, the term Freedom of the Affections The
instinct Of the people, more direct and SIMPLE
than the specuetions OF philosophy, ms substituted
the term Free Love" and Gals the par;saos Of tie
doctrine Free Lovetes"
The principle OF Individuality prohibits HE tom as
cunning 20 represent the opinions OF others. F0I my
seh, and for so many as concur IL the views here
expressed, / accept and approve the amended ter
minology. Individually. ain. then, Free Loyi,e.
adop. and promugate the doc'rfe of Free Love, IN
every esumate understanding OF rs slgnihcalon.
Without restraining he meaning ci the word TO the
relations Of the sexes !, s admitted the. .cose rea-
tons are incuded and mainly intended by t. and that
the freedom proposed cortenplates the estre abolition
of the Institution Of Marriage az xgd e - D. 'g2
tanned aAi perpstra'ed ~ force.
The fret popular objection to Free Love, 20 De Gnti-
cpat4d as existing in the public mind, IS The pIeya-
lent belief that the Bible has prescribed Al indssol
bic monogamy, VI the lf,-marriage OF one man end
one woman as the Only form OF the union Of The sexes
which God approves Tbs belief results iron tie in
teYpreaton which some Of the words If Chris. in
lstion 10 marriage have almes. uniformly received.
Whenever positive discoveries are made N science, the
Interpretation which theolos have previously put
upon -criptuIa texts mus. perioTse, be- modiisd and
adapted t. the ascertsined ;rnh. II rewiy dlscov-
erel' r.e. 4 l.L,.S No ..s,..- -. - -.~s - ~