"THE PARSONS' SCAVENGER," AND THE ORACLE' OFFICE.

this position much stronger-for instance, reading of criminal construction. In future, there is or there is not, in the vast regions of be it known to all shopkeepers, that Mr. space, another globe, answering exactly to Hall, of Bow-street police-office, considers the description of ours-such a thing may that he can try, cond mn, and imprison, any be and it may not, and yet it is impossible of her majesty's subjects, without the asT. to decide upon it. And shall we, who liter-sistance of judge or jury! ally know nothing of these globes or worldballs-shall we presume to entertain familiar notions of their god or maker? A god over we know not whom, or where, or what. But again, if we allow, for the sake of ar(From a paper Edited by Brindley.) gument, all that Bacheler contends for, " Is there reason to believe in the existence of "Of all the daring exhibitions of awful blasgod?"--we find him again discriminating phemy that have come under our observation, between knowledge and belief, and the for- that in Holywell-street, London, is by far mer rests upon probabilities and not positive the most outrageous. Ever since the concertainty, and yet we are told that it is pos-viction of Southwell, the Socialist, at Bristol, sible for man to know god. If so, the nearer we approach to knowledge, the further we travel from belief, until, at last, finding out god, as a positive certainty, belief merges in knowledge, and man is brought so near to god, that the essentials of a godhead, infinite superiority, are at once destroyed, for man must be infinitely superior himself before he can comprehend infinite superiority.

Thus, by pushing the question on any side we get an absurdity, and we are continually reminded, that "to speak of gods befits not (such) men." Are we wrong in calling god's writers-up, blunderers ? Bacheler is one of the best, or we would not have wasted time with him. And now, having shown up the errors of former advocates, we shall commence our own demonstration.

W.

PROSECUTION versus PRINCIPLE.

for publishing the Oracle of Reason, have the wretched creatures, occupying the shop we referred to, filled their windows with prints and paragraphs, which, for nakedness and filthiness of expression, exceed any thing that has been previously attempted. What can the authorities be about? And where, too, are the parish officers, that they have neglected to report what has been going on there? We cannot, we dare not venture on a single quotation from the prints that have filled their windows in open day, for at least these three months' past. But we can say that they are infinitely worse than the grossest blasphemies published by Southwell. The Oracle of Reason is still sold by them, and one number, published in October, contained verbatim, the principal passages upon which that wretched man was convicted. But the comments appended, upon the holy-ghost, the virgin Mary, and our blessed lord and saviour, are of so horribly lewd and fearful a character, that unless they were read, it could not be believed that the diabolical wickedness of man could invent, much less dare to print, these shuddering blasphemies. We call upon the authorities we call upon every christian man and woman in the metropolis, not to let another month pass As a lover of my country, her laws, and over without using their influence to have institutions, I cannot but feel rejoiced in the this iniquity blotted out. There is no excuse result of your trial by police magistrates for to the government if they fail to prosecute, blasphemy-for I look upon it as nothing because we have the fullest evidence to conelse; and with a pang of shame I read that vict the keepers of this den of infamy. We Mr. Hall asserts that the legislature has prevailed upon our most trusty London corempowered him to fine and imprison any respondent to visit the place, and to purman who may have placed to view, within chase Nos. 42 and 43 of the Oracle of Reason. his windows, any paper or book which he (Mr. He is now prepared, upon oath, to swear to H.) may consider profane, and that policemen the identity of the person or persons who shall swear annoyed them (getting the fine served him; and we are willing, at any mothereby). "This power (says Mr. Hall) Iment, to give up the copies so purchased, and may exercise, though large, without any very forced or strained construction of the words of the act." Gracious goddess! Hast thou stripped thine eyes and transferred thy bandage to thy ministers? Justice herself, surely, must have descended from her pedestal to teach this police-lawyer this new

To the Editor of the Oracle of Reason. SIR.-Believing your object to be the emancipation of the mind from the thrall of religious superstition, I beg to congratulate you on your triumph, on Monday last, over your savage persecutors.

the name of our correspondent, on application from the proper quarters.

"We would also beg to add, that we have forwarded to the right reverend prelates of London and Exeter, to Sir Robert Peel, and the home secretary, copies of the blasphemous libels contained in those numbers.

THE

ORACLE OF REASON:

OR, PHILOSOPHY VINDICATED.

EDITED BY G. J. HOLYOAKE.-PRICE ONE PENNY.

CIRCULAR OF THE ANTI-PERSECUTION UNION : TO ASSERT AND MAINTAIN THE RIGHT OF FREE DISCUSSION, AND TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE VICTIMS OF INTOLERANCE AND BIGOTRY.

TREASURER: J. WATSON, 5, Paul's Alley, Paternoster Row, London.
SECRETARY: M. RYALL, 8, Holywell Street, Strand.

8, Holywell-Street, Strand, London, July 19, 1842. It is now forced on the attention of all parties, that "Liberty of Speech," the Briton's boast, and "Freedom of the Press," his supposed palladium, are mere chimeras or fancy pictures, which the admirers of the "glorious constitution" delight to eulogise, but which the continued acts of authority and power show to be naught but fictions. The real liberty of speech. is the liberty to speak as allowed by the dignitaries of the state church, and the liberty of the press is the limits prescribed by the attorney-general. Recognizances, securities, judge-made and parson-justice-administered law, police and private espionage, meet at every step the free-thinker and the free-writer. The "right of private judgment" is a hollow pretence put forth by one sect to exalt themselves at the expense of another, instead of a great principle inclusive of all opinions without reference to time or place. High and noble efforts have been made by bold enthusiastic men to resist the tyranny of power, and who, in winning for others a nearer approach to justice, have fallen sacrifices themselves. Not only so, but numerous as have been the supporters of such arduous struggles, and large the assistance rendered in proportion to the numbers and the means, the fight has still to be fought again-the full and complete triumph has yet to be achieved.

It has become necessary to adopt for the protection of Free Discussion, the plan so effectual for the furtherance of the narrower purposes of party or faction. "Union is strength." It has been strength to partizans; it shall be strength to the lovers of liberty. A union is now evoked, not for the promulgation of dogma religions or new religions, but for the protection of all who may be disposed to publish their speculations on all subjects, being assured that the only legitimate correction for erroneous doctrine is free public investigation and discussion. With such views the Anti-Persecution Union has been formed.

Its principle, that of the right to the free publication of opinion." Its objects, the promulgation of such principle, and the attainment and maintenance of that right.

Its means, the organisation of an association for the periodical collection of funds, to be managed by a committee selected by subscribers.

The promulgation of the principle will be at first necessarily confined to occasional addresses by the committee, with every other information calculated to benefit the cause.

It is in contemplation, when the resources

are adequately strengthened, to publish a periodical organ, and issue tracts. Public and friendly meetings have already taken place, and will be convened from time to time to rally the friends of freedom, diffuse more correct information and assist the movement generally. The obtainment and maintenance of the right to freedom of expression will be comprised in the defence and support of the victims of persecution, until the iniquitous laws are either virtually or constitutionally abrogated. The union will recognise all as having claims on their assistance, who may be interfered with by the law in the publication of speculative opinions. No money qualification, by subscription or otherwise, will be required as a title to the society's support. This support will have no reference whatever to the kind of opinion, whether religious or anti-religious, orthodox or heterodox, nor to the style or manner of the language, which is understood to be a mere matter of taste, to be decided by the individual and the public. Thus, Christian, Jew, Turk, Theist, Pantheist, or Atheist, all of every sect or no sect at all, are embraced in the scope of the society's operations.

The actual business of the organisation will be the collection, receipt, and disbursement of the funds for the defence of the prosecuted, the alleviation of their condition, if subject to prison discipline, and the support of those dependent on them, and the arousing of the public to a sense of the iniquity of all measures to shackle the mind; the collection of a body of information for the service of all sufferers for conscience-sake, is also occupying the attention of the union. These proceedings include operations of a varied and complicated description. A rapid outline of past proceedings will serve to show what may be expected with extended means.

In the case of Charles Southwell, the best legal assistance was secured, as far as required, and the most eminent counsel were consulted at every step; large and sympathising public meetings were called, and contributed to the objects; the assistance of Henry Hetherington and William Carpenter was obtained at his trial; a full and accurate report was extensively circulated; an ample allowance has been supplied daily at the prison; memorials and petitions have been presented to the houses of parliament and the queen, and other important aid has been afforded, not only to Southwell but all future sufferers. Finally, a nucleus, now principally occupied with the affairs of Holyoake and the two Adams's, has been formed for the "Anti-Persecution Union."

A Public Account will be rendered, at the end of the quarter, of the proceedings of the union, when auditors, a committee, treasurer, and secretary will be appointed by the subscribers.

The warm responses that have already succeeded our appeals, and the increasing contributions from various parts of the country, as well as the metropolis, afford grounds for hope greatly exceeding previous anticipations. It will be best for each to act as though the success of the great and noble movement depended on his individual exertion, and a speedy defeat of all the mind-restrictive laws must be the result.

The Machinery of the Union is as follows:--The number of collectors in London now exceeds eighty; we calculate on one hundred. Each has a book; dated, numbered, and signed, and having printed instructions. The book is to enter periodical subscriptions, and any sum, however small, and at any period, however short (as little as a penny per week), to suit the circumstances of the subscribers. Circles of collectors are being organ ised in the provinces; the books to be issued by the liberal publishers and their known friends. Penny subscription cards will be substituted for books for the use of those who collect under a shilling weekly.

Subscription sheets for casual donations or subscriptions are issued to the liberal institutions or places of resort, where they may be advantageously located. These may be obtained by known friends, or those who can give known references, by applying to the Secretary. Drafts of petitions, and all other information, furnished on application. Donations, &c. to be transmitted to the Treasurer, Mr. WATSON, St. Paul's Alley, London. Returns will be periodically published of the result of the collections; no names will be printed of collectors or subscribers without permission. Names and addresses are requested both in London and the country of either active or passive friends; such, for instance, as could collect or subscribe; who can advantageously dispose of subscription sheets or otherwise assist the cause. It is requested that all those who still hold books and subscriptions for Mr. Southwell will hand them over to the committee. There are arrears of subscriptions in Whitechapel, London, and in Bolton, Lancashire.

M. RYALL, SECRETARY.

www

THE RECENT PROSECUTIONS FOR BLASPHEMY,

AND INTENDED ANTI-PERSECUTION UNION.

ON Monday evening, June 21st, a PUBLIC MEETING took place at the Social Institution, John-street, Tottenham-court-road, London, for the purpose of taking into consideration the cases of CHARLES SOUTHWELL, now undergoing his sentence of twelve months' imprisonment in Bristol gaol, for blasphemy alleged to be contained in the Oracle of Reason; of GEORGE JACOB HOLYOAKE, present editor of the same publication, now under bond to take his trial for the same offence, said to have been committed at Cheltenham; and of GEORGE ADAMS and HARRIET ADAMS, his wife, also out on bail for vending the same publication.

The business was opened by the Secretary of the Defence Fund reporting to the meeting the circumstances connected with the arrest and imprisonment of the above-named persons, and the course the committee had adopted with reference to them, He stated, in the first place, that the committee repudiated any identity of opinion with either the prosecuted parties or their antagonists, and took the part they did, on the broad and easily defined ground of the right of every man to the free expression of his opinion, without reference to the kind of opinion, or the manner of putting it forth. Their purpose now was, in the resolutions which they had prepared for the public approval and support, to assert, first the general principle; next to obtain immediate pecuniary assistance; and, thirdly, to organise an association, which should continue to assert and maintain the rights of conscience, so long as they were menaced, or in danger of being menaced, by unjust power.

The first resolution, as follows, was moved by Mrs. MARTIN, and car, ried unanimously:-"That this meeting express their strong disapprobation of all legal interference with the free expression of opinion, and considering the public neglect, or disapproval, the only legitimate correction of erroneous doctrines, do emphatically deprecate the recent prosecutions for the alleged crime of blasphemy, as unjust and impolitic.'

The second resolution was moved by Mr. BAKER, and seconded by Mr. BLUMENFIELD, the talented author of the "New Ecce Homo," whose observations forcibly recalled to his hearers the impassioned language of that work, and were received with acclamation, it was as follows;"That this meeting deeply sympathises with the victims of bigotry and intolerance-Charles Southwell, George Jacob Holyoake, George Adams, and Mrs. Adams-and resolve that a subscription shall be collected for Jefraying the expenses of their defence and support."