The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1869-10-30
An Onward Step.

The decree lately issued by the Spanish
Cortes. PrOclaiming perfect religious liberty to
the inhabitants Of Cuba and Porto Rico, is nm
event which is calculated to attract the warm
est sym pAthy of all who believe in following
the dictates of their own consciences in mat
tiers pertaining to their spiritual welfare, Re
hgious liberty granted to the Spanish colonies
will have a tendency to promote in their
breasts vigorous impulse in the work of
pushing forward with the advancing column
of civilization in the present age of progress
i've liberty. II is full time that that people
were freed from the tramnels of birotry, and
their thoughts should have free scope to solve
the grand designs which The requirements of
the times demand. They have reached the
ultimatum of the oppressive bond that has so
long held them in check; they are no longer
content 10 blindly follow the bidding of those
who have hitherto controlled their religious
and political destinies. The convictions of
all rational and reasoning men on the expe-
diency Of allowing every one TO enjoy his own
religious views coincident with his own feel
ings, so long as the same are not detrimental
to democratic and progressive advancement
of the age, are becoming daily more apparent
1t is time that freedom of thought and liberal
discussion of all topics tending toward the
good Of the great whole, should be guaranteed
to all rien. Ii is time that the false precepts
and wrong dictates that have kept the free
thought of the people enslaved by forced and
stringent measures, should be snapped asun-
der. 1t is time that an investigating spirit
should be warmed into life and clear away the
intricate network and lowering cloud that
has so long thrown a gloomy shade over the
efforts Of those who have zealously striven to
lead their fellow-men forth into the ranks to
battle for the upbuilding of future generations
in the glorious cause Of republican institu-
tons. 1t is time that men who have hitherto
followed doctrines which were not in harmo-
NOUS accord with their Utmost conviction,
but rather because of the authorities that have
held them TO their biddings, should become
awakened to tine sense of their real condi-
ton, and release themselves from the Cypress
i've elements which have in years past held
them in the unrelenting grasp of rigid durance
The recent decree Of the Spanish Cortes
plainly indicates that Spain, a nation that
hitherto has been considered 1.-The most Cath
Ole Power, will not bow submissiyely to all
the dictates Of the Pope. It shows that even
her allegiance to Jesuitical tyranny has be-
come somewhat shaken, and that she is not
so hedged about by POpish influence but what
she has dared to promulSate to her colonies
that henceforth they may exercise their own
free religions feelings, and they shall enjoy a
perfect freedom of thought. The Roman
hierarchy may consider the decree an unpi r
donable offense against the long-continued
usurpation of its powerful fabric, which can
not he passed by without u most scathiug
rebuke; but 1t is now time tina; it should be
brought TO realizing sense that coming
events cast their shadows before" Roman
ism must behold the creeping in of discord to
its faith, and perceive a growing tendency to
widening of the field of intellectual thinking
Past restrictions will be forced to yield TO the
increasing influence of those fundamental
laws of religious faith which recognize no
distinction in question of conscientious prin-
ciples which should guide the nations of the
earth in an ever onward course.