Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1842-10-01

epinion in certain matters. Now, of what
consequence the fact that an individual SO OBJ
seure as we were then, land still are,) should
let 60 some of his crude notions on important
and ahstruse topics, and adept others, can be
to the public, is something we do not under
stand. Undoubtedly, the fact that we abandon
our views, is quite ss tnomentous as that he
adheres to his Blu, what, in the name OF sabi-
~. does the world care about either OF what
interest i. the event 10 mankind at large, Or
the United States themselves, or even the State
Of Lonisianat Less than tbr growth OF an
seems to us, tina. the hsanids, mind which ean
find entertainment il ttiaes SO impefeeptibly
dirsinutive, ceu1i glory in caraeelins around
pin-points /; end that the editor who regales
his readers with subjects Of such paltry lnsig-
nihea,ice, must either set a very small value
on tl.eir intelleets, or be of the very smallest
J Intellectual value himself.
Nevertheless, the incident suggests some
ideas of a general application, which will not
be inapropos, appear when or where ehey
may and for this reason alone we notice 1t
al all. 1t has become an almost settled axiom
in party politics, that TO change an1opin,on is
to ruin A character. No matter how foolish,
insane or absurd the opinion may be, once
embraced. il must be cherished like life
Though formed In ignorance and amidst illn-
stye circumstances the criminality OF discard
ing it at any future day, is deemed by infatua-
ted partisans equivalent to abiurihs all in@
tsgrity and honor. The facts and the train Of
reasoning which lead 10 new views. are nei-
ther considered or hearkened to. the man
must be denounced and condemned, though
bigetry and scphistry shrink from an investi-
CATION of the truths he has espoused.
Respecting the change in our views alluded
to by the editor, from south Carolina Tree
trade to a preference for a iudicious tariff
protective and retaliatory-we have ne dlspo-
sition to deny the fact. We are always proud
of changing from verse to b~etter-from wreng
to right. TIE arrive at correct conclusions-to
ascertain faets-has been thus far, and is still,
the nest earnest occupation Of our life. Had
we known every thing al the hour of setting
out on the world, we should not have found
cause 10 devote, Gas we have dene.) many OF
our beat and NEST vigorous years, with the
fruits Of our manual labsr. to- the acquisition
of knowledge. This course has naturally re-
suited in frequent changes Of opinions, formed
in enthusiasm and ignorance. Led away, at
an early age. yet ignorant of the first and most
cemmon principles Of international COM
msrce, by the seductive sloquence ofCalhoun
and Hayne, the sincerity of our devotion to
their views was only e~gualled BY the ardor Of
our admiration for the orators themselves
Possessing a certain portion of that vanity
which prompts men TO adhere to received
opinions, we cung firmly and strongly 10 the
South Carolina theory, until 1t was expelled
from cur mind by irresistible convictions. A
regular series of Earring events, transporting
at nearly The same time in the various com
mercial countries Of the world, forced upon
our view the necessity Of harmony and con-
cord in all the great, as well as small rela-
tons OF mankind.
Yes our views on this subject and on ma.
ny others, have greatly changed within the
last three years and with these changes we
are happy and content, without being vain,
because we believe them for the better-be-
cause we believe experience has added some
thing to our little stock of knowledge. We
are in favot Of change 1t is the most beauti-
full feature of American institutions-ihe fa-
yorite article Of the hearts and pockets Of
American citizens. A man without any in his
pocket, is probably a pauper; the man who
has never known any in his mind, is certainly
a bigot, an ignoramus and a fool.
We would not deny however, that the prin-
ciple may be carried too far, and that when
pushed to excess il is as injurious rs its pro-
per use is beneficial, Extremes are rarely
proper or profitable. England has discovered
this in her high ,aritf, and America in her in
sane project Of sboliS'ing all tariffs on TO-
r~eigners. while paying enormous tariffs to
them. There is a jaste mihea in our AFFAIRS,
which, if wisely sought for, aud prudentty fol-
lowed, tends more surely than any other
course 10 the promotion of peace, plenty and
happiness. The rule is equally applicable to
the management of public and domestic con-
germs; and strongly inculcates the truth,
that, though we should never ny ineonsider-
ately from one opinion to another, nor jump
too hastily at conclusions, we should be
equally careful not to shut out truth from our
minds. by obstinate opposition TO all theories
adverse to those we have adopted.
CATHOLIC CHURCH To morrow a mass will
be performed in inusic, under the direction of
Mr.. Rufiino, in Catholic church. Those fond
of hat most grand and solemn of all music. the
majestic strains Of the cathedral, will do well
t, attend.
A " BIG Bue,"-The MoTistown Jersey
man. 1t has grown !" about a feet ~ within
the last six months. We congratulate the
veteran editor on his enlarged prospects.
az Maj. z, s., Lyons of Clinton, was elected
Colonel of the 2lst regiment, La.
militia, on the 2lst ult.
81" One Of us" Of the Ptcayune did
wrong to mention in a public manner the lit
tie token Of friendship he speaks O.. Secre-
is the honey Of deeds of affection, as we'll
as charity tho sweets of which exhale and
arc gore, the moment they are shaken BY the
public breath.