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axioma tic propositions , as a continued successio n of identical , self-evident truths . He expected , therefore , to have been railed upon only to join in gratulation at the triumph of that great cause which he valued and esteemed . Nor had that impression been removed by the extraordinarily able , the transceudently eloquent speech , which they had all heard that day .
He agreed with the learned gentleman ( Dr . B . ) in rejecting the use of the word toleration ; but still the state of the law did not warrant tire oppressions practised on the Dissenters . He had watched with anxiety the progress of the statement that day , and he felt that if they attempted to analyse and discriminate what was the law from the abuses of the law , thev would rind to the honour of the
Legislature , that those oppressions were not consonant to the law of the land , but infractions of it . He did-not stand there as the apologist of prejudiced men , of unrighteous magistrates , or of ignorant sessions , but as condemning the absence of toleration wherever he found it
wanting . He wished , before the meeting broke up , to point out the great distinction that existed in the cases , and which of them it was of importance to mark , observe and recollect . The worthy Secretary had divided the subject of his report into measures of the past and of the present year . One case of the last year had come before him as Chairman of sessions . In both the cases the law was
in favour of toleration . It was ck&rly criminal to interrupt service in a meetinghouse . There was no doubt as to the law among the magistrates . The law seemed clear , the proceedings were rapid , and he determined consistently with toleration and the law . He now blushed to
hear that do ' mg his duty had turned out to be in vain . The object for which he contended was equality of rights . Civil disqualifications for religious opinions was what he abhorred . Equal laws and equal rights were what he sought for , and what only he would be satisfied with . In other words , he advocated civil and religious
liberty . The refusal of parochial relief to Protestant Dissenter ^ was not allowed by the law of England . No words that he was acquainted with could convey the impression which such conduct made upon his inind . There the law was equal , and it was only by abusing the law that the Dissenter could be injured . As to friendly
societies , it was completely out of the question that there should be any legal distinction as to religious opinions . The subject of but-door preaohiug hjfetoeen abl y discussed both by the eloquent Secretary ( Mr . Wilks ) and the learned barrister ( Dr . Brown ) # Abuses of the law could hardly be . prevented wholly , but it was clear that the law itself favoured
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the practice of toleration . When he considered the other points , viz , as to the right of marriage , and the validity of the registration of births by the Dissenting ministers , he thought them matters for future consideration , and he hoped for future legislation . He trusted that he should see all civil disabilities for
religious opinions abolished in this country , and that , following the words of the poet , " One circle formed , another straight succeeds , Another still , and still another spreads . From this country the generous principles of civil and religious liberty would spread , until they covered the entire face of the
inhabited world . The main hinge of the whole question was the state of the toleration laws . By annual acts of indemnity , Government covertly continued that system of penalties which they ought to repeal gallantly . If he were asked whether Parliament ought to amend the Toleration Act , he would answer , no ;
repeal it , and expunge the word from the Statute-book for ever . Though he was educated abroad , yet , since he had known England , he had always professed , followed and acted upon , the principles he then avowed . Some measures , he understood , were in progress , respecting
the questions of niarnageS and registrations . He most decidedly declared his intention to support and forward them in that branch of the Legislature to which he belonged . He hoped they would continue to co-operate in the sacred cause which brought them together . Though he had endeavoured to defend the laws
and institutions of the country , and throw off the obloquy to the unworthy persons who abused them , he had yet seen enough that day to satisfy him as to the propriety of ameliorating those laws and institutions . By their excellent addresses , they would obtain continued accessions to
their power . Against the strength of opinion nothing could stand , nor could they have a more powerful , cogent , able , liberal and persuasive advocate , thafti their Secretary . He ( Lord D . ) feared nothing so long as literature and the liberty of the press existed . To them we owed all that had raised us above other
nations , and from their progress must the future happiness , freedom and greatness of the country ultimately emanate . His Lordship then retired from tty Chair amldsL the acclamations of the meeting , which immediately began to separate .
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Intelligence . —Protestant Society : Lord Dacre ' s Speech . 311
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On Friday , March 28 , thq first stone of a new Chapel , to the worship of One God in One Person , was laid at Willington , t ) elamere Forest , Cheshire , and an address ddltvered . The building is intended to be of stone , whh a burying
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1823, page 311, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1784/page/55/
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