Intolerance of "Free-Thinkers."
IF ever a convention of free-thinkers should meet, and have time to do nothing else, they would not fail to incorporate in their proceedings a resolution calling upon the people to throw off the "shackles of the creeds," the restraints and obligations of religion, and join the party of liberty and universal tolerance. How tolerant they really are when one of their own number dares to differ with them is shown in the following from the Tribune:— "Léo Taxil, who has been one of the chief organizers of atheistic societies in France, the author of many anti-christian text-books and the champion of the anti-clerical movement, recently published a recantation. His followers were furious, and summoned him to appear for judgment before the Free Thought Societies. His recantation was denounced as an infamy and a crime; the hall rang with cries of 'traitor!' and 'coward!' and he was expelled by a unanimous vote, leaving the platform amid tumultuous uproar and displays of passionate resentment. The free-thinkers denied him the privilege of thinking soberly on religious questions, and revising his opinions when he found himself to be in the wrong." There are no greater bigots in the world than these pretended free-thinkers. That any one should differ from them and think for themselves excites their rage.—Independent.