, 1880-09-26
THE LIBERAL LEAGUE.

The institution known as the Liberal
League has succeeded only in bringing con-
tempt upon itself by the so-called Congress-
which it held recently i'll this city. This
statement vii! be approved by many Of those
who cali themselves Liberals" The pro-
ceedfngs OF the Congress, Oil the whole,
demonstrated that most Of its leaders are
types Of intolerance; and. though the gath
ering attracted some men Of character and
responsibility, it was conspicuous for its
fanaticism and fndecency. The cause of
Observation-Disclosures in religion, politics, or
social affairs-was notably damaged by the
exhibition.
The purpose Of the Liberal League is at
the best vague, rambling, and tmpracticable.
While 1t processes to struggle for the great
est Individual freedom, it is merely vehicle
for the pu lie manifestation Of individual
hobbies which are, in large part, offensive
to public morals. It seemed year or 50 ago
to point to the formation Of distinct polite
al party. which might take some such rank
and, In that character, 1t would merely assist
in the complication Of issues, and in the
diversion of part Of the community
from the ruling political considerations. The
chief end of the proposed political party was
stated to be the separation Of Church and
State. AS Church and State are not identi-
fed in either the General Government or tho
ocal governments Of this country, the mis-
sion Of such a party and its. raiso', d'etrc
are by no means apparent. Nevertheless,
the people who constitute the Liberal
League think they discover sufficient war
rant for political entity because some other
people want God more specifically represented
in the Constitution; because the Bible is read
in the public schools Of certain sections; be-
cause the Houses OF Congress, the Legis-
1atures, and the army sometimes have chap
latns; anu because church property Is usually
exempted from taxation. The proposition to
tux church property is one that has merits of
its own, but it has not yet taken so powerful
and absorbing a hold upon the ueople as
to demand a new National Earty, and the
Liberal League, moreover, has almost buried
this project out Of sight under a mass Of
side issues-social, sexual, aud individual
which have no proper place in q political
party. =: :.
The late session Of the Liberal League was
devoted almost exclusively to the considera-
ton Of the United States Jaws prohibiting
the circulation OF obscene literature through
the mails. The extremists in ths League
and they were apparently about ten to one
demanded the unconditional repeal OF these
laws, and asserted their right to print'and
circulate obscene matter If they saw fit to
DO so. Col. IngersoN passed all entire day
In tn ing to point cut to these people that
their position was wrong. He was inclined
to think that there had been some unjust
prosecution under the law, and he was in
favor Of amending 1t in such manner as to
define what should be regarded as obscene,
and also to appoint Committee of Defense
to protect people who might believe them
selves to represented BY the execution Of
the law. But the bowling Liberals would
not he satisfied with anything less than an
absolute repeal OF the law, aud legalized
! license for the publication and circulation Of
a kind of literature that does more to po1lute