San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-08-04
twritten for the Free Prcss-l
FACTS AND FANClES....NO. l..
rREE THOUGHT.

Scientists tell US. thought is the re-
suit Of the same physical force that ex
ists 10 all organic nature. Herbert
Spencer said. "All ideas or Impressions
are in direct relation with outward or
external objects" That no thought or
emotion arises save at the expense OF
some physical force, is the proposition
cntertaiued by all those who hold to the
theory Of evolution rs discovered aud
propagated by Auguste Comte. Die di'
yided sll knowledge into three classes,
the supernatural or superstitious, the
metaphysical or abstract, the scientific
or positive the last, or scientific, we
must look to as the Ark Of the Gov.
cnsnt," the cloud by day" the
pillar of fire by night" ITO lead US away
IRON the stream Of sense on high, a
great. eternal calm, high up the hill OF
scientific monstration, where the darts
hurled by superstitions dreamer, Will
fall harmless at our feet. Twas Free
Thought that iraYe,sing unappalled the
worlds history, blazed up in the lives
OF Coperuicus, Watts. Luther, Newton.
Bacon and Edison. 'Tis Free Thought
tha, catching its origin and inspiration
from Divinity, illuminating the nine
tcenth century. speaks to the heart OF
nun. This, this is the greatest good,
The most deadly enemies to human hap
piness and progress are those who en-
deavor 10 stiAe free thought. Sec the evil
genius when the poisoned cup is given
tu Sucratcs witness it when the poor
old philosopher Calico is shut out from
the light OF the sun until he became
deaf and blind, because ho said 1.-The
earth moves" fact now taught to eve.
ry school boy. Three hundred years
ago, he who read the Bible without
permission was punished with impriSoD.
mcut. William Tyndal was burned at
the stake for publishing copy Of the
Bible. This destroyer of human peace
is a respecter tf neither age nor sex.
for it ostracises socially or Condemns and
crimiuatcs civilly. How proud We
should feel that here is the refuge for
freedom offspring - our constitution
provides liberty of press and speech
shall never be restrained. How our
hearts should bound with joy that we
are Americans How proud We should
feel Of the spirit OF our age that WV
ies our free press, that Eliminates our
literature, that thrills the heart of man
AZ it ialls in capacious showers OF elo-
quence from the forum and the rostrum.
Robert Owen taught that the highest
happiness, the greatest good is in the
iull development ol all the physical,
mental and moral faculties. This eau
not be when thought is shackled, when
golden truth is doled ont like angel
visits by the hand Of tyranny and op-
precision. Oa, how can VIC estimste the
grand, the Col like results Of free
thought? 1t plows the ocean wave in
the steamboat, flashes thought under
the sea faster than time itself, uiilizes
electricity, Lighting cities. propellinR
trains OF cara, curing diseases. and skip.
ping slightly abreast. using fuel for
wood, transmitting the powder moga-
zine over the whole uUioo. turning the
ten thousand spindIes,: grinding the mil
lions OF bu-hels Of corn--this is the dar
ling child OF free thought.
"If we have whispered truth,
Lets ,chisper it no longer
Speak il like the thunder storm,
Stronger and stronger
PLOwMAN.