The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-10
An Organ OF Atheism.


We have received from Chicago copy OF
weekly paper which boasts Of being the
only straight atheistic paper now or ever
printed in the world" It Is called the
lronclad Age. and, 80 far as we know, 1t Is
entitled to the distinction 1t claims.
As the Ironclad Age was founded In 1855.
and as no competitor has entered into Its
field. it seems to be demonstrated that the
demand for straight atheism Is not large in
this country. Moreover. the editor Of tho
Chicago publication confesses that there Is
very little money in that department Of
Journalism. Although he has the monopoly
Of 1t. he does not get rich. His subscription
list Is small. though he promises Ito render
an honest equivalent for every dollar he re-
ceives;" and our examination Of the paper
leads Us to believe that he is honestly on
deavoring to give the straight atheists as
good paper as he can. Tho Lonotad Age
seems to be edited with genuine enthu-
siasm. and In respect Of its writing. its
proof readinA and Typography generally. It
10 ahead Of tho run Of crank papers.
This superiority Is duo to tho circum-
stance that u 10 now published and con-
Quoted. seoondarily ct least, a. pious
obligation to tho memory Of tho founder OF
tho paperI who has recently died. Ono Of
his sons L. the editor. Ho. another son.
and daughter set tho typo for the paper.
I'll OF them being " superior printers"
To indicate the character Of this Interest,"
Ing family we will give single Illustration:
A friend Of the original editor. who was DR..
]. r. MONROE. writes to the lronclad Age.
oontendlng that the Doctor has not been
annihilated. but still lives as an inhabitant
Of the unseen world. with new and higher
capacities for usefulness. ~ know that my
friend Dr.. MoNRoE still lives" he says. II
know It," he repeats emphatically. DR..
NoNRoH's son and successor replies cour-
tsously but armly. denying that such is the
case with his father. He acknowledges
that Ibis physical elements 1--we on in
other forms Of animal. vegetable. and min
sral existence" but he declares that the
old gentleman Is dead beyond the POSSIBLE
ity Of resurrection as 20 conscious exist
snce." or individuality. 1t Is only matter,
hs tells the friend Of his father. that is Sin
destructble. immortal. eternal"
The worry affection and reverence Of the
son compel him to argue that the sire Is as
completely dead as last autumn's leaf. He
will not tolerate the suggestion that the
venerable man has passed into an immortal
existence. for 1t is contrary to tho convic-
ton In which his father died. II he still
lives, he was wrong in establishing the only
organ OF straight atheism in the world. and
In satirizing and ridiculing the belief in
personal Immortality as silly superstition.
The denial OF the son. too. was put in type
BY the equally faithful and affectionate
daughter. She will not for mo-
mont listen to the reflection on
her fathers reasoning involved In
the suggestion that he Is not utterly
Aead. dissolved. wiped out. and without the
possibilltyof any other existence than In
tho scattered physical clements OF which
his material body was composed. Instead
Of being comfortable to her. the pious con-
fldence Of his friend that so good man
hyss after death. is altogether repulsive
y casts an implication on her father
which she resents In fidelity to his
tssching. He taught her that when he
died, that would be the last OF him: and II
was the last. she declares as o matter OF
nllA devotion. Whoever else may be false
+ 20 his memory by weakly exhibiting dis
loyalty TO his doctrines. 1t shall not be his
daughter, Is the feeling OF this earnest
woman. And who shall disparage her fol
such Q display Of dlial reverence9
On the first page OF this number OF the
( Iyonclad Age are published the portraits
: OF DR.. MoNRoB, and OF his two sons and his
daughter. now engaged In tho publication
4 Of the paper. They are all faces Of strong
individuality and Of marked family traits
which are especially emphasized In the
daughter. She looks like woman who
would be unyielding in her convictions. and
bold In declaring and maintaining them
Whatever the opposition. She is not only
straight atheist, but proud OF the fact. ant
ready to proclaim 1t in any company.
It Is not necessary for US to present the
stheisticA arguments OF the Ironclad Age
In essence they are not different from The
aguostoal arguments. The apparent differ
euce Is only In the boldness with which the
organ of straight atheism accepts the con
illusions OF It's premises. The bottom OF the
whole. Of course. is denial OF the existenct
i Of 3 personal GOD. and hence OF the basis OF
vhiaA rests belief y immortality with q