Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-09-08

sentiments" on the very question, whether
disputing tends to advance correct knowl-
edge or 30 retard it.
Now, to do justice to both sides, it must,
think, be granted that each is 10 the
right, provided allowance bemade for the
opposite views in which the subject pre-
sents itself. Were disputing conducted as
it ought, with sincere and paramount
love OF truth, and benignity Of temper,
there might spring from j. much good,
without any considerable mixture OF evil.
But conducted as most commonly it has
been, with acrimonious feeling, and the
fieroeness and obstinacy OF pusilists, rather
than with the honest candour that il is
willing in all cases to yield to evideRce !;
it too often serves but to exasperate and
mislead so that nothing is less desirable
in youth, or less to be encouraged, than
disputatious or cavilfing temper.
Ia certain memoirs Of the life Of Fred
erick the Great, it is related, that as
piring after the fame If philosophical
reasoner, he was much inclined TO exei-
else his talents now and then in disputing
with the learned men of his court. Ac
corditlgiy lie used, at his leisure, to send
for the philosophers whom he kept IN
waiting, to reason with them; protesting,
the meanwhile, that he laid aside the
monarch aud put himself on equal footing,
aud encouraging them 10 be free, and do
their best. But if any one happened to
invalidate his own arguments, or to get
the better of him in any way, he Instantly
flew into violent passion, and bestowed
upon the offender the most scurrious cpl,
thets. The memoirs further relate, that
at one of his literary entertainments, when,
in order to promote free conversation, he
Ireminded the circle that there was no
monarch present, the conversation hap
pened to turn upon the faults of different
governments aud rulers. General cen
sures were passing from mouth to mouth,
with a freedom which such hints were
calculated, and apparently intended, to
inspire. But Frederick presently put a
stop TO the topic, by exclaiming, Held
your peace, gentlemen, be upon your
guard, else the King Mill be among .you. .
This instance, while it speaks the i'm
perious despot, is characterised of our
general nature. Of disputants, in all
ages of the world, there have been but
few that were scrupulous of using all the
/ means in their power, to battle, bear
down, aud silence, their opponents but
few, whose unfairness of manner, aud bit
terness of temper have not furnished clear
Iproof that they were actuated more by
the proud desire of victory than by sin
cere regard to truth; very few, who have
shown themselves willing, in all cases, TO
lgive truth fair play. Contrariwise, men,
that are naturally, or by custom, of dis
putatious temper, seldom are so for truth;
sake. Generally, something else than the
love of truth has the strongest hold o
their hearts.
| Perilous, in this respect, is the moral
condition of that class of men, whose
professional business is disputing, and
whose fame and renewn depend upon sue.
cess in gaining their causes, just or IN,
lust.
SIN indiSCrtminate defence Of TighI
and svrong, contracts The understanding
vliite it corrupts the heart" This shori
sentence of the celebrated Junius, is de
serving of the serious attention OF young
men Of ingenious dispositions, who have
recently entered, or are about entering,
upon the profession of the law. One
accustomed to argue Unfortunately for
and against truth and right, and whose
main road to distinction lies in his talent
g to make the worse appear the better
reason" needs, of all men to keep care
full watch over his moral frame.
Theological disputes, are Of nature
that would seem TO secure them from the
alterations incident 10 those of worldly
men. The theoIogian stands upon hal
lowed ground. Truth, Divine Truth, is
his poIestar. The inspired volume is bis
directory of which he must not whiting
ly misconstrue any part for the sake Of
gaining his argument, nor even though he
may gain by it the whole world. This
case is similar TO that of the Persian
Judges, who were made to interpret the
inrs of the realm with ropes about Their
necks, as indicative of the punishment
that awaited them if found guilty of any
wiliul misinterpretation. And besides, as
truth must be his sole aim, SO his manner
Of defending it must be consonapt TO tine
spirit Of Him who was " meek and lowly
10 heart'- {" when he was reviled,
reviIed not again." Wherefore, in that
sacred department, If any where, it might
be expected that disputes would be con
Quoted with the utmost fairness, and with
exemplary benignity Of temper. Would
It were al,Uays so
" The man who in controversy, pays a