Heinrich Heine called himself a soldier in the army of human liberation.
It was a modest description of himself, for he was more; his position
was that of a leader, and his sword was like the mystic Excalibur,
flashing with the hues of his genius, and dealing death to the enemies
of freedom.
Humbler fighters than Heine may count themselves as simple soldiers in
that great army, whose leaders' names are graven deep in the history of
modern Europe. I also venture to rank myself with them, and it is the
summit of my ambition. To be indeed a soldier in that army, however low
and obscure, is not to have lived in vain; to persevere, to fight to the
end, is to live (if unknown) in the future of humanity.
In the course of my service to "the cause" I have wielded tongue and pen
as weapons. The spoken word has gone, like spilt water, except as it may
have made an impression on the listeners. The written word remains. Most
of it, in truth, was only the week's work, done honestly, but under no
special impulse. Some of the rest--as I have been told, and as in a few
cases I feel--is of less doubtful value; having occasionally the merit
of a free play of mind on subjects that are too often treated with
ignorance, timidity, or hypocrisy.
This is my reason for publishing in a separate and durable form the
articles in this collection. Whether it is a sufficient reason the
reader will judge for himself.
No serious attempt has been made at classification. Here and there
articles have been placed in intended proximity, though written at
different intervals in the past ten years. Sometimes, for an obvious
reason, the date of composition has been indicated. Otherwise there
is no approach to systematic arrangement; and if this is a defect, the
reader has on the other hand the benefit of variety.
The ambitious, and hardly excusable, thing about this collection is
its title. But the selection of a label for such a miscellany was not
an easy task, and I ask the reader's indulgence in consideration ef the
difficulty. The title I have chosen is at least a pretty one, and in a
sense it is appropriate. These articles are flowers of _my_ Freethought;
the blossomings of my mind on particular occasions, after much
investigation and pondering.
Wherever I have made a rash statement I shall be happy to be corrected;
wherever I may have argued wrongly, I shall be happy to be set right.
But I am less amenable to appeals on the ground of "taste." They are
almost invariably made by those who wish failure to one's propaganda. A
fair controversialist will refrain from personalities. I have done this,
and I will do no more. I believe in free thought and honest speech. In
the war of ideas there is neither treaty nor truce. To ask for quarter
is to admit defeat; and to give it is treachery to Truth.
April, 1893. G. W. FOOTE.