Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-05-27
THE NEW YORK Liberal. CLUB

OOine SIN years ago, MI. ID. L. Gard
ner, with some of his friends, conceived
the idea of founding a club for the dis
cusslon OF scientific and other subjects,
but which should differ from the ordinary
debating clubs in such essential features
as would give it more solid character
1t was decided that the club should
meet one evening each week, and that
then one of the members should give
a lecture on some subject of interest,
giving him the utmost liberty in the
choice of subject and in the views rep
resented, but that after the close of the
lecture such other members as possessed
additional information on the subject,
or were deslrous of presenting opposite
views, should also be allowed full lib
erty to veatilate them in speeches not
exceeding ten minutes each; and then
the lecturer should have the privilege
of closing the discussion in fifteen
minute address while the public should
be admitted free.
As soon as this club was organized
and had commenced its operations, it
was greatly appreciated by that portion
of the intelligent public who relish re-
ceiving information through the vehicle
of an often spicy debate The number
of members increased, as we'll as the
responsibility of the club as a body; the
late Horace Greeley accepted the Presi-
dency, and after his decease, MI james
Parton became his successor. and is
still its President.
/ Soon non-members offered to give
! lectures before the club, and some en-
inent men, forei" ners as well as Ameri-
cans, have III this way been very useful
to the interest of the club, and also to
/ tie public attending these meetings.
| The small room whele the club met at
| first was soon abandoned for a larger
one, while 1t now occupies quite large
hall, seating about 1000 persons, and
which IS crowded at almost every meet
ing.
! The most peculiar feature of this in
stitution, is that it is truly liberal, us
It's name indicates, though not in a po-
ltcal SENSE Notwithstanding politics
is not excluded, the club is by no
means Il political, but rather scientif-
ic organization, as its leading men are
more Of a scientific turn of mind; still
among its members men and women of
every stamp are found and of the most
extreme views III religion, politics, sci
ence, etc, and this is exactly what
makes the discussions 50 extremely in-
tereStlng.
Notwithstanding all this, the mem
bers always treat each other with parlia-
mentary politeness, even when uttering
the most severe criticisms on the opin-
ions of their opponents, and to their
credit 1t must be acknowledged that in
the excitement Of debate, personalities
have always been avoided This is in
deed remarkable, as he club contains
othodox and liberal Christians and Jews.
Christian and Intidel Spirtualists, wom-
ems rights defenders, Postivists, Social
lists, Deists, Pantheists, downright Athe-
lists, and Universologists, with the Pan
tarch himself at the head.
The simple existence of such a club
as IL noble example of extreme tolerance
can not but have II good influence on
society, showing practically as it does
the way in which we must treat those
who differ from Us in their views, to all
those who regularly or occasionally
visit the meetings.
An example of what can be done by
goodwill and proper cooperation, was
shown when member made the sug-
gestiOn to found circulating library;
at once scores of members volunteered
to furnish books from their own collec-
tons. Some gave six, some dozen or
more, some fifty or hundred, and in a
short time Il choice library of several
hundred volumes was established, many
of which are now in the hands of the
members. while one # the members
volunteered to act as librarian on those
days when books are given out or rc-
TUNED.
Another peculiar feature became ap+
parent when one Of the wealthy mem
bers offered lot and several thousand
dolla with an invitation to further sub
scgiptions, so that the club could erect
its own building This was strongly
opposed by some of the leading mem
bers; the example of the American IN
stitute was pointed out, which, being
possessed of valuable property and sal
aired officers, is at every election subject
to Il severe struggle on the part of the
outs to get in, while, on the contrary,
in the Libertl Club rs now organized,
/ nob@dy can expect to gam any pecunla-
" advantages; the elections are peace
I full, intriguing a9itations are kept away,
! and only such persons take part who
have a purely philosophical turn Of
mind and love knowledge ard truth
above all things.
! Anothey Instance of a similar kind
{ Waa shown when very enlightened
physician of New York, suffering from
an incurable disease, and knowing that
his end WAS to be expected in about
/ four months, desired to will to the club
his whole fortune, (Which was consider
able Oh the condition that it should be
employed to further his liberal views.
especially in regard to the social .nd
! political condition of women, whose
condition he considered inferior to that
of men, aid wished to have raised to a
higher level. He had sons, who how
ever did not need his fortune. and there
fore wished TO do as much good with his
/ possessions rs he considered possible.
The club, after due deliberation refused
this offer and advised the tostator to
will all to his sons. The conviction
has now settled upon the minds of all
that the safety Of the New York Liberal
Club is based on its poverty.
One of the daily papers lately, in
speaking of this club, gave very cor
rect sketch of some Of the leading
members, but made a statement in