The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-14
THE FREE-THINKERS.
The Convention at Albany-The Organization
Resolves in Favor of Incorporation.

ALBANY, N Y, Sept 13.-The reethinkers'
convention opened at the Leland Opera-house
this morning. The first speaker was James
Parton. of Massachusetts. who gave lecture
on Victor Hugo, dealing with the personal quail
ties and literary fame of the great Frenchman,
who, he said, had exercised great influence on
free thought.
Mr.. G. Palmer then read the following resolu-
tions, which were adopted
1.-THE Free-thinkers of the State of New York, in
convention assembled, resolve as follows:
Frst-That the mother and nurse OF all reforms,
social political and moral is universal mental liberty
and that its general extension is the condition OF
future progress of the human race.
Second-That, taking stand on the fundamental
American doctrine of the separation of church and
state, demand in the interests of liberty, equal
rights and secular government that such separation
of church and state should be completed by the repeal
of all laws exenpting church and ecclesiastical
property from taxation; by the the prohibition
by law of the appropriation of public moneys for the
support of by institutions under the manage
Hnent and influence of secular denominations; by the
repeal of all laws compelling observance of any day
sabbath or holy day, enforcing the'payment of
legislative chaplaincies or of establishing special
religious days to be observed by public authority.
We, therefore, call upon all of our feow-citizens
irrespective of their religious opinions, to aid in
obtaining these requirements of justice
Third-Tbst the object of free thought is to extend
the benign influence of sence to cultivate the spirit
of fraternity, to aid in the triumph of peace to
which shall express the moral power of an enlightened
reason. To these ends we recommend that liberal or
secular societies should be formed for social
and recitatve purposes; that free thought and
secular halls libraries and readng-rooms should be
built obtained. and that suitable lecturers and
teachers should be employed wherever possible, in
In the several counties of our State.
Fourth-That it is time for liberal and secular So
eetes take the place of churches and priests in the
social recognition and celebration of the great events
of lfe-birth, marriage and DEATH
Fifth-That inasmuch as the government rests
upon the consent OF the governed-equality recog-
nizes distinction of sex-woman's complete inclu-
sion into a common participation with man of the
knowledge the and the enjoyments this earth, is
her legitimate possession.
Sixth-That theology, in accounting for toll as a
and in proclaimng riches snare, has unhap-
PLY confused the relations of labor and capital and
that human social equality demands that the industry
which creates the wealth of the world should have
fair distribution of its benefits.
Seventh-That in order to aid practically in the
curing of these ends, request and authorize the
officers of this association to take steps for legal
corporation
Mrs Augusta Cooper Bristol, of vineland, N.
j., recited poem entitled Victory"
Mr.. j, E. Renesberg, of Kansas, made speech
in protest against what he termed the Puritan
Sabbath. which some tried to force upon the
people, though contrary to the spirit of the Con-
stitntion of the United States.
At the afternoon session Mr. n. Seaver, of the
Boston Investigator, and for fifty years a worker
in the free-thought movement gave sketch of
the difficulties which had been overcome in fifty
years.
The convention then took recess until
SPIN
The evening session opened with every seat
in the Opera-house filed. Col r. G.. Ingersou
was introduced, and said:
Most people imagine that belief is very i'm
portant; that if you do not believe in certain
form OF religion, it is because you want to steal
something; that you would like to eat your
own child or commit some fearful
crime-and yet it seems to me that religious be-
lief never had much effect in making people
good Some of the worst people who ever cursed
this world have been believers The gentlemen
who made Socrates drink the hemlock were be-
1ieyers; the Jews who crucified Christ believed
in God; the devil believes in God, and it does
not seem to have affected his moral character
Some of the worst men connected with the In
quisition-the inventors of instruments of tor
ture-were believers in God. Some of the best
not a believer, was Humboldt What is the
origin Of religiona Fear-nothirg else. Fear
born of ignorance When a savage saw an
good thing, he put god; behind every bad one
he put devil and he supposed these gods and
these devils, turned afterwards into one god and
one devil. Is it right for a
god to govern this world, or should
men govern itl | speak, of course, of one God
since there may be other gods of whom know
nothing. Is this world despotism or republc?"
The speaker continued at some length in this
manner, and was frequently applauded by his
audience.
At the conclusion of his address the conven-
ton adjourned sine die