The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-01-09
Peoples Forum y J.
A Reply to Father Bou.lou.

A Reply to Father Bouslou.
Editor West Vlrginian:
We note with pleasure that Father
Boutlou has contributed another
lengthy article on various themes and
promises many more. He Is willing,
he says. to take up the case Of Calico.
l'urgatory and the Instability OF the
Pope. As President Roosevelt would
say. We should all be delighted" What
a "Feast OF reason and a flow OF
soul" is about to be prepared for Vol
taire and all his angels We are
pleased To know that the Pope recent.
ly granted to all his followers the priv.
ilese OF eating meat on New Years
Day. That was certainly welcome
news to all carnirorous Americans and
we trust that many good things will
be included in the next bill OF fare that
emanates from Rome. Concerning dis.
cussions in the Forum We feel that
there Is much truth In the following
remark made long ago by an eminent
bishop: Whoever Is afraid OF sub
hitting any question, civil or reIfgf.
Gus, to the test Of free discussion, Is
more In love with his own opinion
than with truth" It would appear al.
most useless to attempt to verify any
statement. much less a mere soft
snow ball impeachment" II historians
like Macaulay must be ruled out OF
court rs unreliable. Alas! how idols
crumble Only n few days since we
looked upon Lord Thos. B. Aacaul-
ny as great and reliable historian.
now his name Is soon 10 ne erased
from Fame's immortal scroll. Iiowev-
er, 1t Is our humble opinion that one
OF his compound sentences will sur
vive all that his critics nay after. We
refer to this: "'The world has cruci-
lle,l its saviours and crowned It's OPP
pressors." AS for proofs of the
shocks that have been administered to
the human race by the tyranny of in.
iquisiuons there are certainly volumes
upon volumes that cannot be refutel.
II the fate of Bruno is not sufficient
the statement OF John ". Draper. all.
thor OF the "HIstory Of the intellectual
Development OF Europe. that the, in
iniquisition. between 1881 and 1908. put
to death by flames nearly $4,000 per-
sons ought to satisfy the most critical.
This, we are confident, satisfies sever.
al besides ourselves. Father Boutlou
admits that there were deplorable per
secutions In these dark agea and that
should preclude his demand for proof.
Not what seems fair. but what Is
true. $780, s''s,.s.,sf',
Not what we dream. but what We do.
These are the things that shine like
gems $500
Like stars In Fortunes diadems."' :
Rev. Boutlou may bring forth all
the skeletons Of NIL the closets placed
there by all tic pcrsccu.o:s Of all ages
but he must not ask justice to defend
the kettle" and denolnce the pot"
AS Shakespeare says: Times glory
Is to calm contending kings. unmask
falsehood and bring truth To light"
We always understood that, It was
Huxley and not Herbert Spencer that
coined the word agnostic. 1t Is not
that our friend is ready to
prove that Voltalre and his followers
were infldels. His creed certainly
strongly lnsinuates that all Pedestrians
are infdels. All presidents from
Washington to Taft, Longiellow- to
Emerson, and Lowell. Claiming. the
Unitarian. and Henry Ward Beeecher.
the lover Of freedom for body and
mind, must bear the odlam tiat goes
with that oh: ritable title. Why
should poor. fraIl man be so prompt
to Judge and pass sentence? Let US
consider this verse from Father Ryan:
Eve never know each other here.
No soul can here another see
To know We need light "a clear
As that which oils eternity"
We feel that even Rev. Boutfou will
not frown upon US for quoting from
the above named author. 10 tho mem
Dry OF that tender and gentle priest
we humbly pay the tribute Of our re.
spect and admiration. II all mankind
had been like him, how free from
blood and tears would be the records
Of departed years! No thumb.screw
rack and engines OF torture. no Bastile
with dungeons dark and damp.
sc. MusaRAyE.