The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-08-14
For tie Herald Of Erssaom.
Letter from Rr. z. Heath.

R0sEDALE, K T., August 3, '58.
DEAR HERALD Free Speech, Free
Thought and Free Platform! What
are they ? These have all been supposed
to be pretty well defined and very gener-
ally assented to. But experience proves
that whatever theories prevail upon these
all important subjects, the world is very
far from enjoying either of the three
Even Republican America, with the Con-
stitution of the United States fully en-
dorsing aud guaranteeing their rights, ex-
hibits the sad spectacle of everywhere
abridging what is theoretically maintained.
That this is unconsciously done, is admit
ted. It is also frequently consciesltiously
done. At one time mob carries surni-
ture into the streets of New York city
and burns it. At another time Loyejoy
expiates the crime of speaking and pub
fishing his sentiments-which right is
sacredly guaranteed by the Constitution
of our country-by his life. No one was
ever punished for their gross violation
Presses are frequently destroyed, and
almost always south of Mason and Dix
on's line. A mans freedom upon these
subjects is determined not by what seeks
utterance in his soul, but by the taste of
his hearers. What they wish to hear, he
may freely speak and write; and this is
the extent of his freedom. In the nomi-
nally free States the case is somewhat
different. 1t is not often now that the
attempt is made by physical force and
violence to suppress this right of man,
but it is accomplished by means hardly
less Objectionable. To many persons the
former mode would be no more effectual
than the latter. Even tin the religious
world it is no better. He who cannot be
silenced by the mandate of the church,
can often be by love for good name. A
good name, let it be remembered, sis rather
to be chosen than great rtehes.'' The man
who will part with it for an idea, can
rarely be bad man. Indeed. the man
who parts with it for such a purpose,
evinces devotion to principle, moral
heroism, which can never be shown by
crying, however Justify, Heretic," Inf
de-" Atheist" and the like. The man
who makes use of these terms to silence
an opponent, has virtually denied the
right of free speech and free thought, and
has confessed his inability to answer his
opponent by arguments, since no man
believes that sneers are the especial pro-
perty of either the gentleman or the
Christian. Men usually make use of the
best weapon they are in possession OF.
Another mode, and one which is quite
as effectual, is to allow the privilege of
uttering what we will, but at the same
time labor to prevent any one from listen
ing to what is deemed Objectionable
Does this mode of meeting error commend
itself to the judgment of candid men
Would it not be far more honorable and
philosophical to state what is objectiona-
BILE in an opponent, and in place of what
is deemed error, present what is thought
to be truth ? But to this it is often urged
"that men love darkness rather than
light" This is equivalent to saying that
men are disposed to accept the sOorse in
stead of the better reason. Now, if this
be so, then the use of reason is at an end
For the utmost that any person can hope
to do, is to present better reason in place
of the one objected to. We come, then,
to this conclusion, viz: that any senti-
ment honestly entertained by an inGivid-
ual, should never be made use of to dam
age the political, moral or religious stand
ing of any person whomsoever He who
holds uaanstCerabe views is doubtless
wiser than he who objects to what he
can give no good reason for objecting to.
And this rule must apply not to one, or
fe1o, but to all cases. Truth never shuns
investigation. God has challenged us to
investigate His ways, and see if they are
not equal-if ours are not unequal. Every
honest man, when he has discovered what
seems to him an important truth, if he does
not run through the streets to proclaim
his success, he at least seeks the forum,
that he may announce his discovery to
his fellows. If his discovery is objected
to, he seeks to do away with the objec-
tons urged, and contrasts the new idea
with the old. In other words, the two
are placed in the balance, and that which
is really weightiest, is made to appear SO.
This is all rational. 1t should be So
This would be readily admitted as the
proper course, provided the discovery re
lated to agriculture or any science of a
kindred character.
But this course would be equally justi-
fable if the discovery related to meta
physics or theology. He who cannot give
reason for the hope that is within him.
ESQ far, at least, as he is concerned } enter
tains hope that is not rational Sheer
ing at, staying away from, or even appear
ing horrifed, will not overthrow error. =
He who is conscious of his weakness,
always shuns an encounter with an antago-
mist. He who feels that truth is on his
side, feels like the warrior clad in armor
that is impervious to the darts of the
enemy. The arrows may hiss but they