MB. CLOVER IN EXPLANATION.

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 5, 23 June 1885, Page 3

MB. CLOVER IN EXPLANATION.

. TO THE EDITOB OF THE STAB. Sot, — I see by your issue of the 18th instant that the gentleman whose name you have paired off with mine in your advertising memoranda was to speak at the Lyceum meeting on Sunday evening last in reference to my alleged withdrawal from the debate on the subject of my lecture of the 24th ultimo. I may state, in order to put the public right, that the assumption re my withdrawal is based entirely upon my refusal to lecture again undor the auspices of the Freethought Lyceum ; of its fairness and truthfulness I leave the public to judge. I P> have never hinted at a withdrawal ~* from anything of the nature of a debate that I have entered into, but, on the contrary, have promised to consider every objection or argument that may come to hand, as having been directed against any of the positions taken up in my lecture. The chief facts of the case are the following : — Ist. 1 only engaged to give the lecture, originally given, under- the iauspices of the Lyceum, hence no- promise is in existence placing me under any obligation to repeat my visit to said institution^ 2nd. lhave valid reasons for not repeating my visit. (1) It is inconvenient to go on a Sunday evening. It means a necessary curtailment of my own service; and besides having three services and a journey on horseback, varying from 16 to 31 miles, it is really too much for one to aecom- ] plish in one day. (2' The Lyceum, according to the showing of its chairman, takes an irresponsible position, and is confessedly powerless to guard its platform. (3) I could not consistently be a party to bring a crowd of people together to hear blasphemous statements, which, in a platform debate would, I have reason to believe, be somewhat numerous. (4) These platform debates or "discussions would undoubtedly tend to render the meetings of the Lyceum popular, but how could I, with any show of consistency, help to popularise a thing in the goodness of which I have no belief whatever; especially when the results of such a debate are very dubious ? (5) I have another reason, but being of a personal nature, and not wishing to give, offence unnecessarily, I refrain from stating it here. Other considerations have weighed with me, but the ones stated here will suffice to enable the public to judge of the propriety of my course of action, and the character of the conclusion drawn therefrom, i.e., that I have withdrawn from the debate Lecause I decline giving any more lectures under the auspices of the Lyceum. A phase of Freethought seems to be developed here whioh is very much akin to that which Mr Braithwaite complained about when he left the Dunedin Freethought Association; which, to speak plainly, means the right of one to think for another, and to thrust his thoughts! and conclusions on another, of course to the absolute exclusion ot the thoughts and ideas of the said second party. To insist upon a conclusion, so manifestly fallacious and oW-sided, argues a condition of mind rendered proof against conviction, anu it is nothing but a wilful and palpable perpetration of falsehood!; , Excuse my trespassing so far on your sptipe. — I am, Ac, J. Clo^bb.