One hundred years ago
On Monday, the case against the editor, proprietor, and publishers of the Freethinker, for a blasphemous libel — a case which failed last week in conse- quence of the disagreement of the jury — was tried again at the Central Criminal Court, before Mr Justice North, and resulted in a conviction. The Christmas Number of the Freethinker for 1882 was, as is admitted on all sides, a very gross and indecent attack on the Christian faith, illustrating, in the form of coarse and blasphemous pictures, as well as letter-press, the views of the editor as to the ridiculousness of that faith. There was no doubt as to the responsibility of Mr Foote, the editor, Mr Ramsey, the registered proprietor, and Mr Kemp, the printer and publisher, for the appearance of this number. The result was that Mr Foote was sentenced to a year's imprisonment, Mr Ramsey to nine months' imprisonment, and Mr Kemp to three months' imprisonment, for the offence. Blasphemy, as an of- fence against God — which is its legal essence — is not one that we ought to punish at all. And blasphemy, as a wan- ton offence to the most sacred feelings of men, though it should be punishable and punished, should be very lightly punished when committed by men who are but half-educated, and not likely to appreciate the nature of the feelings which they wound. In all cases of of- fences against Christianity, it is clearly safest to follow the guidance of that Christian charity which `suffereth long and is kind'.
Spectator, 10 March 1883
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