The Continental Monthly, Vol III, Issue VI, June, 1863: Devoted to Literature and National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol III, Issue VI, June, 1863: Devoted to Literature and National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
The chapter which Mr. Mill devotes to this subject--the liberty of
discussion and publication--is thoroughly exhaustive in its character.
It presents the question in almost every light in which it is desirable
to see it, and successfully meets every objection which can be made to
his doctrine. For the first time, a logical and philosophical exposition
of the great principles of liberty is presented to the world, and that
too in a most readable and attractive form. The work is calculated to do
immense good. It places liberty on a rational foundation, and dispels
every doubt which might have been entertained by the timid, as to the
safety and propriety of permitting free discussion on those points of
belief which are too often held to be beyond the domain of investigation
and argument. We do not pretend, here, to give anything like a synopsis
of the grounds assumed, and the reasonings adopted by the author. A full
and correct idea of these can only be obtained from the book itself. But
before leaving this part of the work, we cannot forbear quoting a
passage on this subject from an essay by Henry Thomas Buckle. Even at
the risk of prolonging this article beyond its proper limits, we quote
at some length, on account of the vast interest of the topic and the
different notions which too generally prevail as to the propriety of its
discussion:
'If they who deny the immortality of the soul, could, without the
least opprobrium, state in the boldest manner all their objections,
the advocates of the doctrine would be obliged to reconsider their
own position and to abandon its untenable points. By this means,
that which I revere, and an overwhelming majority of us revere, as
a glorious truth, would be immensely strengthened. It would be
strengthened by being deprived of those sophistical arguments which
are commonly urged in its favor, and which give to its enemies an
incalculable advantage. It would moreover be strengthened by that
feeling of security which men have in their own convictions, when
they know that everything is said against them which can be said,
and that their opponents have a fair and liberal hearing. This
begets a magnanimity and a rational confidence which cannot
otherwise be obtained. But, such results can never happen while we
are so timid, or so dishonest, as to impute improper motives to
those who assail our religious opinions. We may rely upon it that
as long as we look upon an atheistical writer as a moral offender,
or even as long as we glance at him with suspicion, atheism will
remain a standing and permanent danger, because, skulking in hidden
corners, it will use stratagems which their secrecy will prevent us
from baffling; it will practise artifices to which the persecuted
are forced to resort; it will number its concealed proselytes to an
extent of which only they who have studied this painful subject are
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