The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1851-12-20
THE MINNES0TIAN.
St. 33Iul, sHimneaoia.
Saturday, ItCc 20, 1851.
INToLEKANcE ron OPINIONS SAKE.

ing and misery among the great family OF
mankind, as intolerance. :. Mans inhu-
mainly to man, makes countless thousands
MOURN" sang the poet of nature; and
the line has become trite apothegm.
The liberal and philanthropic spirit OF the
age in which we live, revolts at the de-
TAI Is given by history OF all physical and
other restraints set up in past ages, to
fetter the exercise Of free thought, free
speech, and free action. And when we
read in the current news Of the day, the
acts Of tyranny in Austria, in Russia, in
Italy, and in pscudo-republican France,
to enslave and crush the mighty workings
Of Free Opinion, our hearts sicken, and
our right arms invoke the hi ght of Her
cules. to hlrl the inhuman catitis who ell
slave their fellows, from that position
which gives them power to rule with
rod Of iron.
In the breast of the true American citi-
zen this feeling is not confined TO any par
ticular age Of the world, or TO any particu-
lar nation or sect Of people. The stoning
to death of Stephen by the sanction of
heather Rome the martyrdom of Huss
and Latimer by Christian Rome; the
massacre of St. Bartholomew by the same
power; the committing to the flames Of
Catholic freshmen, found defending their
faith in the castle Of Droghcda, by the
Frotestcn, Commonwealth Of England;
and the inhuman prosecutions of harm
less Quakcrs. Ey our much eu!cgised and
almost sainted = Puritan fathers" of New
England, are all regarded by men of pure
and liberal principles, at this day, as
crimes, the blacklist in the catalogue of
human frailties. Il have sworn upon
the altar Of Almighty Col, eternal hos.il-
iy TO all forms Of tyranny over the mind
Of man" said the great apostle Of Amer
lean Democracy. Let us sec for a moment
whether, with all our fine theories in fa-
vor of human freedom throughout the
world, we thoroughly carry out the
principle, in practice, among ourselves.
In this country, where the free exer-
o;so oe thought in mattrrs of religious as
well as political opinions and acs, is
guaranteed by written constitution
where our interests as citizens are en-
tirely mutual, and where each man may
pursue the business calling that best suits
his taste and capacity, it exhibits a mar
rowness of soul. and warped and dis
eased state of intellectual development,
when we find ncighbor prescribing neigh
Dor fer not thinking exactly as he does.
Yet such state Of things is occasionally
brought home TO our observation. We find,
both in politics and religion, men who
say Of their ncighbor, :. he is bitter
Wing" or she is miserable Loco Foco,"
Or g. he is a bigoted Catholic" or ga blue
light Presbyterian, Or "a rantins Meth
odist," and :: therelore l can have nothing
TO do with him." Now, the most slayish
OF these worshipers OF their own tenets,
will, upon thorough seli-cxamination,
admit that their narrow sentiments are at
variance with the teachings of mans
great charter of individual Right, guaran-
tied by his Creator. 1t is the spirit Of
human pride, the selishncss of the old
Adam that rises up to corrupt our hearts;
and by yielding TO it, we make ourselves
anything but true Americans and - broth
ers in the bonds of union," whose exam
pie to the oppressed millions of the
world should be as the light of city set
upon hill. God never intended thSt all
men should think and act alike. We
would have curious world if they did.
Sir, l believe your political theory is
wrong; it will be the ruin Of the coun-
try if it is carried OUT Every well,
brother, you have right to think so;
bu, do not drive me from your hearth, and
set the mark OF Cain upon my brow, for
differing in this particular with you.'
Mary blame TIE tone of aspcriy
which characterizes the political portion
of the American press, in times of high
party excitement, for the incubation of
that species of intolerance, which we all,
in o"r moments of correct feeling, so
much condemn. Now, what gives tone
to the press? We hold it TO be fact.
self-evidcnt to any rejecting mind, that
the tone Of the press is the sentiment of
those who sustain it. An editors views
are formed as those of other men, from
association. He is not the originator of
i, 10. 4 h.