The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-10-23

sons there may be for the opposite
Setting their own opinions as truth, all
Others of course are heresy. They are
Ignorant of the great fact that we live in
world of probabilities, not of certainlies
1t Is impossible then for any human be-
ing to be intalibly sure that he is right on
any subject beyond the narrow limits of
the senses, of consciousness and memory.
This. being the case, it requires grca,
deal of fairness, and great deal of good
feeling to behave right.pnder it.
A man is tempted, especially when he
comes i'll contact with one not so acute
or quite as well informed as himself to
make up by dogmatism, positiveness, and
pertinacity, what he wants in certainty,
and lacks in good arguments. Such con-
duct as this is a species of social immor-
atty, besides being unfair and ungener-
Gus. The effect of it is to impair the
pleasure and the benefits of society, and
inlure the cause of truth, which ought to
be more precious than any temporary or
personal triumph. No one was ever con-
WINGED by such means, and cannot but
feel oppressed and i'll used. Difference
of opinion in such cases, instead OF she'd
ding light on either mind, is converted
into Alienation of personal feeling, the
worst possible result of social inter-
course.
AS we are to be surrounded all our
days with those who differ from us in
opinion, and as the hope cannot be cher
ished of bringing all to think as, we do, it
must be principal part of the art of living
happily with those about us, TO differ
from them in peace and mutual good
will.
All sincere opinions are to be treated
with respect. This is justice as well as
wisdom. The natural bias of our mind
is to agree in sentiment with those about
us. If another differs from us, then we
have every reason to believe that it is
from sincere conviction. 1t is unjust in
us then to attribute any opinion TO obsti-
macy or stupidity. The instant we do so,
we not only insult fellow being but we
lay ourselves under the same unhandsome
treatment in return.
The fact is, that truth is infinite. No
human mind has ever seen the whole OF
it. 1t is not confined to any set of opin-
ions, but is scattered in fragments through
all. If it was not so, there could not be
such variety of opinions. Falsehood
is not congenal with the human mind,
and no man willingly embraces it. Num-
bers have nothing to do with the thing,
for the time has been when the most i'm
portant truths, which are now universally
acknowledged were held by few, and
these few were ridiculed and prosecuted
by the majority. Calico was obliged to
confess, amid the scorns and insults of
the world, that the earth does not move
on It's axis. Now he who asserts the
doctrine, which he was obliged to confess
true, would be equally ridiculed By intel
ligent men. Nothing can show a meaner
mind, than to attempt TO Cypress or Ill
treat another on account of his opinions,
or to diminish a, all that respect. which
his talents, his character and requirements
Justly challenge at our hands. TO over
come this narrowness and prejudice, with
which we are all more or less educated,
] cannot but recommend TO you to associ-
ale with all sects, opinions and parties.
1t is the interest Of partizans to inhamo
prejudice, that parties may be disciplined
and kept together. But it is your Interest
to know and appreciate and esteem al
good men of all names and all parties
, At distance, we are too apt 10 think
! that those who differ from US have scarce
, " the attributes Of humanity. Wher
5 brought into contact, we are SURPRISED
that the peculiaritles of their opinions are
{ as the small dust of the balance, whicl
Q compared with the great and universe
: attributes of human nature, and we arr
G surprised to find that very person, whos'
: strange opinions seemed to issolate hin
0 from any connexion with his species, i
d after all very much such being as W
s are ourselves. The more we ASSOCIATE
: with mankind the more we shall be con
vinced that speculative opinions have yer,
little influence upon the character. an
have little power 70 modify indiyidua
disposition. There are good and homes
o men of all parties and opinions. Their
II is no more reason TO esteem the trul
s. excellent of differing opinions, than tn
e undescrving of our own party. We d
Is nothing more or less, Them than comm
Le N nLnnnnInn,.s frn,iA On our oMn hmm