WHAT IS TRUE LIBERTY?

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 245, 22 July 1872, Page 3

WHAT IS TRUE LIBERTY?

To the huicor of the T.IAMKS OuakuiaX. Slit, —Just now the public are discussing whether different so ieli.s should ne allowed to bold meetings, walk in processions, «ic., to tbe annoyance of tiiose who do not belong to them. Some arrive at one conclusion, some another, exactly opposite llow is this ? If one side or society arc to be put down by force or | ilVV —is tins liberty ? That question, sir, is answered year by year more liberally. About 300 years ago tile Jews enjoyed very little liberty in England, and w re subject to fines, or to tlie loss of the.r tiniii. Again, a little later, the people had no opportunity to help govern the country, the Crown and Barons alone possessed all the power. At another period lights had to he put out at a certain time, and the people only in tlie position ot serfs, some in drudgery, others swaying unlimited pow r over them. At different periods again the Catholics governed the country, then the Protestants, each keeping lhe other down as far as possible, till we arrive at the present century with a Protestant Government, and a population composed of different S'-els, all enjoying true liberty, hut dissatisfied with even this by the occurrences which have taken place lately, and which

' ‘orm the present subject. His.ory thus affords us a very interesting study, as wo trace the progress of liberty in "Our own native land, and others, century after century. In some countries liberty of speech is suppressed, both in politics and private; in our own both. I believe, sir, t hat liberty and Christianity are identical, i i religion ; in others only allowed in A Government cannot possess one alone, or if it does, free liberty cannot be enjoyed by tlie people. The true meaning of liberty is for everyone to enjoy their own opinions, both in public and in private life, still following the principles of living offence to none, as far as possible. When offence is taken by the opposite party, then the. law should protect all by si ei ig that no breach of th i peace takes placx If that was done the peoplo v\ on d at or.ce see that it would be no uso to resort to violence. All parties would try to overcome the other by that great power, moral suasion, and by endeavouring to win converts by liberality of ideas and in the purity of the principles

lised. Thus, then, when we are able grasp the above, we shall have won a great triumph over bigotry and animosity, ami charity and the pure precepts of Christianity will take its place.

By reading the report of the lato meeting on the education question it enables ns to review locally, the question, beforo us. At that meeting, I perceive that the au lienee were nearly divided, the majority small. Therefore if we have a law passed to make secular education compulsory, we take away the liberty we have hitherto enjoyed. The small majority would govern the large minority. If this is done we most assuredly are going backwards, and abusing the powers of tho liberties we now enj"y. This is an open question I should like lo see debated in your paper. Knowing you have many talented contributors, perhaps they will now discuss this subject, and although I may differ with others, still I am open to conviction, as nr- o'h rs who have the same opio :, "i as —Yours, &c., Vox.