The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-10-28
FREEDOM OF oPINION''-w WHERE
Is TIT


ever much they may boast of the freedom OF
speech and Of thought, and thank God that they
ire not as other people are, trammelled, "cab-
bind and confn'd," in this respect yet there are
ew indeed among them who are not restrained,
sither by fear, prudence, or policy from utter
ing, whenever and wherever prompted 70 do 80,
The real sentiments of their hearts, upon every
subject and all subjects" aye! free, off.hand."
We appeal to the consciences Of every man who
reads this, for the truth of what We say.
deny it, replies Mr.. Politician; it is not so;
dare speak my Utmost, honest sentimental and
opinions. anywhere and everywhere.
Indeed, Mr.. Politician There you are an
exception to the great body Of people who belong
to your class But let us see whether you are so
very independent and free of thought and speech.
You belong, perchance, to the so-called Demo-
cratic party; If SO, we take it for granted that
you subscribe implicitly to every article Of the
present "platform" Of that partys Yes, certainly
do. DO you reside in free or slave Statei A
free State. Well, then, what is your opinion in
regard to the rights Of the people of Territory
to admit or exclude slavery into or from the Ter
rtory while it is yet Territory Remember,
sir, that you are to be candidate for the first or
second Office in the gift of the people, and the
answer you are about to give may come up either
for or against you when you shall come before
them. W. @h
Mr. P.-To be horest and frank with you. that
is subject upon which have not fully made up
my mind, and am not, therefore, prepared to
answer But upon any subject that have well
considered, will give my opinion freely. s&
Tell us, then, whether internal improvements,
by national means, are constitutional or uncon-
stitutionalp a@. n&. ats.
Mr.. Pr will do co. Undoubtedly, il the
Improvement to be made is of that peculiar char
acter that it ought to be done by the Federal
Government, and comes within the general scope
and purvew of the Constitution, and, moreover,
does not belong to any one of the States, and
especially if it is a work from which the nation
and not the States is to be benefited, I should, as
at present aduised, think it constitutional
Very clear comprehensive, frank, and explicit,
Mr. Politician; no one can doubt now what your
opinion is on that subject. But suppose you were
a member of Congress, and bill should pass
authorizing such improvements and making appro.
priations for them, and the President should veto
t-would you still vote for the billG
Mr.. P.-Why, as the President is undoubtedly
an able statesman and constitutional lawyer, and
has Cabinet composed of such men, also, by
whose judgment and advice he would be sus-
tanned, I should, think, rely more upon his
judgment than my own, and should not, therefore,
vote for the bill against his veto, unles the i'm
provement were within my oacn district, for then
should know all about it. saa
Very good, Mr.. Politician. We now compre-
bend and understand you fully. You are very
Independent man, in thought, word, and deed
very.
Question northern men and southern men
politicians-upon the subject Of slavery, and they
will each answer in accordance with the general
opinion of the section to which they respectively
belong; nor dare they utter any sentiments net
acceptable to the people of their own respective
sections. And whyf Because If they sshould
they would at once put knife to their own poll
teal threats, such is the intolerance of the public
in every part of the country. Question politicians
upon any subject Of political controversy, and they
viii frame their answers 30 as TO accord exactly,
or as near possible, with the opinions and doc
trines of their party, as set down in tho latest
platform; nor dare they express, If they enter
tain, any other. The tyranny exercised over
their minds is absolute, and to men Of high tone
and feeling, oppressive and gallng-to all humili-
Ating and debasing.
Z
Let any man be candidate in Massachusetts, or
South Carolina, or any other State, and his ey.
pressed opinions must conform exactly with those
of the general community, or he would be dis
carded in double quick time. There Ia no latitude
Of thought upon certain questions, In either sec
ton, North o.. South. Take, for example, the
Missouri Compromise but two or three years ago
It's repeal was declared by the Virginia Legisla-
ture, cause Of dissolving the Union; and yet, nov
il is the rankest heresy, an almost objectionable
sin, TO maintain the consttutiouality Of that Com
promise.
And the same intolerant spirit is abroad among
the various sects Of protesting Christians. The
old school and the new school Presbyterians split
upon rome point, the mere shadow Of a shade,
in doctrine, and the feeling Of antagonism mani
tested by each, slight as was the dividing line.
was, for a time, comparable only 70 that between
two political parties. Whatever you are, Roman
Catholic, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, or Baptist,
you are not permitted to think differently from
your church, nor question the soundness of any
one of it's dogmas.
Go into the, realms Of fashion, and the despotism
exercised there will be found to be even more
What fashionable lady dare set fashion
at de6ance' If fashion orders dresses 10 be
aounced and made 10 sweep the street, who has
hardibood enough to dispense with Aounces, or
wear dresses that win not trail in the mud, or
gather the dust Of the side walki IL fashion de-
tree that the bonnet shall be stuck only upon the
back Of the head, what lady 90 daring as to sp-
pear with one covering and shading her forehead,
II fashion says crinoine," crinoiins II is, from
princess TO peasant from drawing room to kitchen
If fashion orders expansion, unlike our banks, at
The word every lady expands to the utmost limits
Of her metaiie-hoops Fashions viii is absolute,
her judgment infallible, her rule despotic, her
way irresistible, her frown whitening and fatal
Passive obedience" is the dogma of her sub.
ects or slaves, and wo be to her who dares 10 re-
bel by thinking and acting contrary to her will and
pleasure