The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-11-30

truth would probably be gamer if every follow
cr of hers, who thinks any such necessary or ex-
pedient, were at to desert to the standard Of
error.
If the followers Of truth can assume the garb
OF error, it is at least most illjudged in them to
do so.
The opinions which you entertain are estab-
lished and supported by law. Truc but this is
an advantage only to an erroneous and inconsis-
tent system-Truth neither requires nor can be
assisted by any such support.
Now, do not misunderstood me. Ineither say
nor insinuate, that becauce your opinions are thus
supported, they are therefore erroneous or incon-
sistent. But merely express my opinion that
if they are true, you cannot derive any adj
vantage whatever, from such patronage. No law,
except the law of evidence and reason, can ever
establish truth.
To avail yourself in any way, then, of such le-
gal support, is to assume the garb of an advocate
of error. But the inferences which will natural
ybe deduced from your appearance in that garb |
are not perhaps the worst consequences which |
will follow its assumption. A feeling of injus-
tice and partially, will arise in the minds of those
whose opinions are opposed to yours-a feeling
which tends to shut the mind against conviction,
| by inducing irritation and suspicion; and which
must infallibly excite prejudice against you and
your ideas.
It probably difiicultfor YOU, believing as you
must, that you advocate truth, and that truth
ought to be supported, correctly to appreciate
! this feeling.
/ But suppose I entertained set Of opinions,
diametricay opposed to your belief at this mo-
inert; that dsre6arded every thing which YOU
hold to be most sacred, and daily taught that
which you consider basphemy and mpiety.
Ind aupposc that my opinions were false, and
| that yours were true; but that Notwithstanding
this, mine became the established opinions We
know this TO lie very possible case. 1t is the
case in Turkey and in many other countries at
thc present moment, where false doctrines are
mlintaincd by authority.
suppose, too, that you, entertaining your pres
ent opinions and knowing them to betrue had dis
tinctly seen the fa.lacy of some Of mine and had
endcavorcd in friendly manner, to prove their
crrcr TO me. Then suppose that treated your
opinions with contempt, and dogmatcally and
prcsumptuously insisted my own; that l at
once pronounced you to be an enemy to religion,
, and expressed doubt whether such inhdcl SEN
timents as yours should be tolerated at all.
Should you not strongly feel the Injustice OF
my proceedings
/ cannot Of course pretend to determine the
precise form which your feelings towards me and
your reflections on my conduct, would assume.
They might possibly resolve themselves into
: something like the following:
, says his opinions are the opinions Of truth: That
is very natural; do the same. He says he has
$ received them after the most mature considera-
ton, and that he sees their truth so distinctly
t that he cannont be mistaken: say the same OF
mine. lie says that if had really willing
, mind and sincerely wished to believe his opin-
, ions, must have understood and believed them
long ago: But cannot wish 10 believe what ap-
pears to me to be erroneous; catinot wish to
,s,,1
it is very unreasonable i'll any one, 10 require it
Of me. tell him, that rs we are both in the
, search oftruth, we ought to assist each other iii
t searching for it as friends: He replies, that he
u cannot consider him as a friend whom he knows
to be the advocate of error and nfdety, that he
does not wish my ass stance, for that he is not ir
!. search of truth, he has found it already. tel
e him that temperate controversy necessarily
o tends to elicit truth: But he answers that conro
:, versy i'll the present instance cannot elicit truth
c since truth is discovered and established by law
already; and the best way of supporting it is tt
i say as little on the subject as possible Then
IS tell him that if these opinions has been general,
u actedupoa, no reformation orimprovement coult
It ever have taken place, and any error once gen
j. orally admitted, must have been necessarily per
petuated to all eternity: This he admits as gen
e eral principle, but cuts inc short by adding, tha
D. it cannot apply in the present case, because NJ
ii reformation or improvement III opinion iS desila
bic Or possible, no errors have been admitted
r, therefore there is no danger that any should b.
to pcrpetuated. In short, he is a person who wi
n enter into no argument unless it be admitted as
,c first principle that his opinions true and co'
it rect; for as he says, whoever is so obstinate
n not to admit this does not deserve to be reason
I'd ed with at ALL 1t is amazing that he cannot pei
,e ceive how unfair and irrational this is. Surel
G. the world cannot much longerbe deceived by
man, who fears the worst for his cause, it it
zee not artifcally supported; and who talks Oft,
is the sme time, III the most arrogant and presimT
n tuous manner. Surely men must soon discove'
s. that presumption without confidence cannot b
On the characteristic OF truth"
IT. These, OF similar sentiments, my condut
II, would probably ob)ige you to entertain respec
lis ing me and my opinions.
US tits true that have supposed an extreme cast
he rejoice that the sentiments which have thu
cr imputed to myself are rot yours. IT they IA
M been, should certainly not have addressed thes
to letters to you. But, sir, must honestly expre'
ct. to you my opinion, that if you claim the smalIe
I'D privilege, because yors is the established creed,
,x- because ii is supported by public op''on; or col
,e- ceivc that any dissener or sceptcs right to to
Grafton is more doubtful than yotr o,on,-your
of pinons differ from those of the ignorant intoie
,c. ant characterI have described, in degree on
nv noa IN principle. And the feelings excited
your conduct will be OF the same class; thoue
.1o~& <y,n,fI fItDsaa Ittr1