The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 55
Stout, Robert, Sir Dunedin, N.Z. Sydney 23rd Augt 1883
Stout, Robert, Sir
Dunedin, N.Z.To the Editor of the Argus.
Sydney 23rd Augt 1883.
I have just seen a copy of your issue of the 16th. inst. containing a repost of one of Bishop Moorhouse's lectures on the apocalypse. The Bishop on this lecture refers to the resolution of sympathy passed the Australasian Secularists Conference with Messrs. [ unclear: Foote] + Ramsay in their persecution. The Bishop has as much right to criticise the action of the Conference in this aspect as I have to refer to his lecture. He has however in his critisism done an injustice to the members of the conference.
First. Many sympathise with Messrs. Ramsay + Foote and belive they have been unjustly punished who entirely disapprove of their mode of attaching the popular creeds. When Y I mention that the following amongst others have petitioned the home secretary for their release the truth of this statement will more clearly appear. Herbert Spencer, Professors Huxley, Tyndall, E. Baird, Sidgwick, Knight, Fraser (Edinburgh) Masson, Spencer Baynes (St. Andrews) Revd J. Llewelyn Davies, Dr Abbott H. [ unclear: Amger], Dr. Wm. Fairbairn (President Congregational Union), R. Glover (President Babtist Union) The editors of of [sic] the Daily News, Spectator, Academy and Leslie Stephen, Frances Gallon, J. Cotter Morrison: and some 200 others eminent in literature and science have signed the memorial.
Second. The Bishop has mixed up the Messrs Foote, Ramsay and the secularist conference with the Nihilists, Socialists, Anarchists and the Irish assassins and he led his audience to refer to the cause of nihilism, socialism, anarchism and Irish assassinations was atheism now. I first remark that all the Irish assassions were pious Roman Catholics then I state what cannot be controverted that the majority of the Nihilists have been named in the Dogmas of a church with which many of Bishop Moorhouse's [ gap — reason: illegible] [ unclear: igionists] desire to unite. So far as I know the leading English secularists are extreme individualists holding views akin to those promulgated in Spencer's Social Statics. In Melbourne I also find little sympathy with the socialistic craze. If I were to mix up things as the Bishop has done. I might point to his mild kingsley-like socialism and tell him that it and the German socialism were alike a product of Christ's teaching. In fact that the teaching of the gospels are not those of the political economists whom Englishmen revere. Further I might ask how comes it that in those countries where the christian religion has held and has now the greatest power there is the greatest social unrest. I refer to Russia, Spain, Italy. Compare the safety of property and life in countries where the freethinkers are allowed freedom with the assassinations and robberies in lands where the priest is all powerful and will the [ unclear: post hoe ergo propler hoe] be applicable?
[ unclear: near]
democractic feeling in Victoria than in any other Australian Colony. I am sorry to state that it is my opinion this impression is erroneous. I apprehend that the highest ideal of true liberalism should be a state in which every one could act as he pleases so long as his action did not infringe the liberty of another. Is this the ideal of Victorian liberals? I am afraid that protection has debauched politics. That a mojority's vote can sanction everything seems to me now a part of a Victorian liberal's creed. Alas this is the antipodes of true liberalism. The reliance on state action that protextion has engendered and the building up of Melbourne and other towns at the State expense must also have its evil results in Victoria's future. Let me give two or three illustraions of the action of liberals.And now let me end by saying that I am deeply impressed by the greatness of Victoria by the Splendour of her institutions by the energy of her citizens and by the kindness and hospitality of everywhere met. I thought it my duty however as one who longs to see the democratic sentament strong and the democratic party [ gap — reason: illegible] liberal to make the comments I have made and I hope they will not be taken in [ unclear: bad heart]
I am etc.