Interview Mrs. Van Cott The Revivalist

Robert Green Ingersoll

QUESTION: I see, Colonel, that in an interview published this morning, Mrs. Van Cott the revivalist;, calls you "a poor barking dog." Do you know her personally?

ANSWER: I have never met or seen her.

QUESTION: Do you know the reason she applied the epithet?

ANSWER: I suppose it to be the natural result of what is called vital piety; that is to say, universal love breeds individual hatred.

QUESTION: Do you intend making any reply to what she says.

ANSWER: I have written her a note of which this is a copy:

Buffalo, Feb. 24th, 1878.

Mrs. Van Cott:

My dear Madam: -- Were you constrained by the love of Christ to call a man who has never injured you "a poor barking dog"? Did you make this remark as a Christian, or as a lady? Did you say these words to illustrate in some faint degree the refining influence upon woman of the religion you preach?

What would you think of me if I should retort, using your language, changing only the sex of the last word?

I have the honor to remain, yours truly,

R.G. Ingersoll.

QUESTION: Well, what do you think of the religious revival system generally?

ANSWER: The fire that has to be blown all the time is a poor thing to get warm by. I regard these revivals as essentially barbaric. I think they do no good, but much harm, they make innocent people think they are guilty, and very mean people think they are good.

QUESTION: What is your opinion concerning women as conductors of these revivals?

ANSWER: I suppose those engaged in them think they are doing good. They are probably honest. I think, however, that neither men nor women should be engaged in frightening people into heaven. That is all I wish to say on the subject, as I do not think it worth talking about. --

The Express, Buffalo New York, Feb., 1878.