The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-12-26
FoR THE CALEDoNIAE.
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Mr. EDITOR - The principles by which you pro
fess to be governed in the management of the Cal
edonian. meet my entire approval, and probably
Tint of a large portion OF the community. Mankind
have been striving for many centuries 10 separate
truth from error or fix IN the public mind the i'm
mortal principles Of justice, bcnovolence and rehg
ion Every political and religious party; and every
system of education, profess 10 have tor their OBJ
iect the overthrow Of error, and the restoration Of
the human a state of purity and happiness
The most efficient agent OF this reformation Is free
discussion l; is impossible for all persons 10 think
alike; consequently some must be in an error, and
though the universal diffusion o! knowl edge to the
greatest possible extent would not completely har-
monize the conflicting opinions of mankind, yet the
diffusion Of this knowledge is the only way TO make
approach to this harmony. Such are our prelu-
diccs and prspossessIons that slow TO believe
ourselves in error notwithstanding il may nor
have particle Of evidence in its favor Such errors
must be corrected by study listening to the opn-
ions of others,
1t is the action of mind upon mind that must dis
PEI the gloomy mists Of pagan superstition and in
tellectua and moral darkness. A free interchange
of thought and sentiment is the most sure antdotc
for our pTejudices, and tends, than any other
cause 10 fortfy the mind against the impositions
and treachery Of modern nfdelity. 1t enlarges our
stock of acknowledge purifes virtues and strength
ems our political and social relations. When
opinions are attacked for the sake Of the spois of
victory, when they called in question by
friends we feel ourselves called upon to examine
the foundation of them in the light of science and
reason that, if possible, we may place them above
the shafts of calumny the reach of criticism
Some persons tenacious Of their opinions that
they never take the trouble examine their validity
unless they are attacked, and then the examination
frequently ends in their conversion to truth and
righteousness. Hence the benefit of criticism and
tree discussion.
But there is one species OF newspaper controver-
sy which TO be exception these sent-
ments. This is the practice, of which TOO many
editors and writers guilty, OF OBTAINING the char
acer Of their political and religious opponents. and
treating them with all the contempt OF an inveerate
enemy. There is no species of injury blasting
TO the party attacked, contemplate in the Of
fender, murder excepted as defamation of charac-
ter Though the party DETAINED may be innocent,
yetowing to the circumstances in which he may be
placed, it may not be in his power prevent evil
growing out of the transaction. His property may
be taken from him, and his family reduced to want,
and he be shut of lucrative business, when
his property twice sufficient pay his debts and
his creditors are willing to wait upon HIM till he
satisfy their demands. So the Islander may take
advantage ofhs circumstances and destroy the pub
lie confidence in his virtues and abilities, from the
effects Of which he may never fully recover. Such
injuries deserve the severest public censure and
merit appropriate punishment
But this is what call free discussion. 1t is
a warfare, and or both parties actuated by
feelings ofrevenge or hostility The contention is
for the sake of truth hut for triumph. Right or
wrong, their principles must be maintained, and
the weaker party must submit, if by fair meas
ures, by falsehood and stratagem. If mans integ
rity and other qualifications for office oppose their
object, these must be msrepresented and turned
into defects suffer who and what wi-trutb-re-
ligion-or humanity. IF ignorance and vice favor
their schemes of ambition and inquity these are
held iup to the public gaze as Famiable qualities,
while Virtue and intelligence are represented as
mark Of weak MUD and unworthy the pursuit Of
rational beings. y
Lyndon, Dec. 2, 1887
WHO ARE THE DEMOCRACY? Three only Of