The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-03-17
Free Thinking.

The Gazette Is eXn1Dlung cOnsluefaDle
viyacity upon the subject Of marriage and
divorce, evidently occasioned by a feel
ing of apprehension, on the part of its
conductors, that society is in danger from
the prevalence of erroneous notions in
respect to the nature of the marital rela-
ton. What marriage is, or what it ought
to be--how permanent or how transitory
should be the bonds which it estab-
lishes-are matters which we do not in
tend to discuss But there is question,
suggested by the manner in which social |
subjects in general are treated by our CO.
temporary, that is worthy of entertain
ment; and may, it is to be hoped, be
looked into without alarming the fears of
any very considerable number of our fell
low-citizens 1t is: How far may a man,
without guilt, hold and express his ra-
tional convictions?
There is sort Of people who, through
some notion of their own superior wis
dom or authority, are so in the habit of
identifying their opinions and prejudices
with the DEGREES of Heaven, that they
can not but look upon all who venture to
call them in question as wicked-ene-
mics of God and incendiaries in society
They do not doubt that the, Almighty
thinks precisely as they do; and expect
that their views will be received with the
Difference due to an infallible revelation.
These people do not combat opinions
they cry out against them; they do not
respond to arguments-they arraign their
authors; they do not seek to convince,
but to convict; and look upon error not
as thing to be overcome, but to be pun
ished in the person of its believer.
There may be such thing as faith
that docs not depend upon the evidence
of the understanding-a mere unreason-
ing reception of some statement or PROPOSE
tion-but to suppose that such faith can
be meritorious,i is absurd. To believe
upon testimony, is the prerogatiye of q
man. to receive without testimony, is the
infrmity of q fool There can be no basis
for faith butreason; and they who claim to
prescribe rules of conduct founded upon
any other authority, are either weak
themselves, or are willing to take advan-
tage of the weakness Of mankind. When
reason was given to man, the only limit
imposed upon its empire was that of its
own capacity. nor is there ground to sup
pose that, by subsequent decree, that en-
pire has been in any respect reduced or
circumscribed. In all ages, as in this,
there have been those who would gladly
have made it smaller whose exertions
have not been without practical effect
During many centuries the mind of man
submitted to wear the most degrading
shaekles and badges of servitude. But
in proportion as it was enslaved, the race
was miserable; and in proportion as it
has become emancipated, the race has
arisen and improved in knowledge, and
morality, and refinement Still there are
!. not wanting those who would carry soci-
ETY. back to the old state of slavery-with
whom the breaking of every bond is a
symbol of coming anarchy, and who live
under continual apprehensions that
through some sudden re-acquisition of in
. tellectual freedom, mankind will be LED
into such acts of eccentricity and wan
+. tonness, that the world will no Longer
: contain spot fit for them to inhabit
IF mind has right to be free, no mar
: is to blame for the convictions to which
/ he arrives; and there can be no such
, thing as wicked opinion. To say that Q
L man. in the use aOf his reason, becomes
I bad by arriving at one result, while, by
: arriving at another, he becomes or con
!, tinues good, is not sensible. Whatevel
I conclusion is reached by the free and hon
est pse of the mental faculties-and thi
, is what constitutes an opinion-that, b!
!, all Just laws, human and divine, man ha
J, the right to hold. To deny this is to al
!, firm that men are punishable for thei
e opinions-a doctrine which enlightene'
: people have long since discarded. df
y If there are no such things as wicke
q opinions, there can be no such things a
dangerous. opiniOns-opinions dangerou
to society, When mind was made an
. set free, the world was SO constituted I
q to be able to endure the wear and tear {
R, its OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the creatio
'sr would have been absurd, and society a
= impossibilisy. Society withstands the il
R. fuence Of all opinions not in unison vii
IS, its own tendencies. 1t, only gives its a
t,r sent to doctrines of which it is already
SSd thpush, perhaps, ,imperceptibly to the car
! less observer7-making practical applic
e, ton Shallow philosophers charge upC
N N the !dsctri4eswRat, IN reality isattribut
9 ble to the tendency; and substituting h
I'd effect for the cause, fall into ecstasies
'rs, fsar over the apprehended occurrence
Il n gxlsa