Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-10-19
Political Intolarance.

\
substitute. we donbt not. the sahioincd reflections
- that old time honorcd and conservative journal
| the National intelligcncer:
| a New York contemporary Of recent date CON
tans some Just reflections the intolerance and
despotisas of party spirit in tbe United States II
truly observes that have indeed tair against
the exercise of political thought upon political
ou.st,aps hut that the machinery Of party j.
ssrsi ghtway pot into operation for the purpose Of
..crushing out" by methods OF its own the exer-
else Of that intellectual freedom which is the nom
inal heritage Of every American citizen. Acute
French critics Of our institutions and manners
have not failed 10 remark that. while we have the
advantage If France in tho theoreticni breadth Of
our political liberty. the social habtudcs of our
country do. IN effect, greatly restrict and ohstruct
its enjoyment, insomuch that the personality Of
each individual mnn IL often more rensbly ne
know lodged and felt under tho institution Of i'm
perinl monarchy than under our system OF rcpub-
lican administration.
We fear that there IL too much foundation for
this reproach as summed up by the New
York journalist in the following words. having
special reference TO the personal animo'lty fire.
quently cngcndcred by difference OF political opin-
ION:
1.-The great evil four public life is the intole
rance aud despotism Of our party discipline, espe
chilly in the ranks of the, Democracy. il IN MI
very well to say that this il FREQ country: that
every nun is free 10 form his own opinions. and
70 make them the basis of his political action; bus
the claim is true only 80 far NJ legal restraints
nre concerned There is no law against n mans
thinking. speaking, or acting for himself. and
without regard to any body else in politics. reli-
gion. or any other lie partment Of social activity.
lie will not bc hung. nor imprisoned, nor even mr.
rested BY the police for 30 doing; but be will DO
punished in other ways not II whit lcss eihcacous
aud scarcely less calling TO II sensitive and homo
rable mind. lie will b" watched, criticised, cen
sured. denounced. expelled and porsccuted. some-
times cvon socinlly. hy TINT compact and allied or
ganizatipn whose dictntion he may disregard and
with whose ilans md purposes ho may interfere.
lie will bc reproaohed Tor his inconsistency, nc
cused nl trenchnry, and CALLED by NIL tho stngs
aud ,sunts which disappointed malice can suggest;
and he must either resent them or droop under
them"
II . reader will be able to find abundant Illus
traiinns o the picture thus sketchcd in its gene
raj outlines; for. unfortunately. tho evil dcplored
i not peculiar To any single portion of the coun-
try. 1t is possible, however that this engnery OF
pnliticnl Intolerance has of late years been most
commonly aud effectively employed against such
" fellow citizens IN The South ms have not al-
ways secn their way clear b. cooperate with tho
dominant party of the country in such of it] men-
sures as have been commended Ia tho particular
favor of that section. Now that time md expe-
rience have sufficiently demonstrated the prudent
caution which inspired patriotic citizens with II
distrust VI the boons so gratntously pr"ilercd
we hppc thnt a larger charity mny IN future be
NV arded /, thnso difference, of opinion which,
oven il not proved In the oud to have been
equally wi.s AS compared with Tao authoritative
tests oi partisan fidelity. qui,eas Likely 10 be
| the oHsprn, Of honest cohs lotions.
\ pemscratlc contemporary III irgin'a allu1cs
to the prnrtice heretofore So commonly rcsoried T.
in the South by many oC lis rol,tcai confederate,
! in their n'tcmpt to qnel the spirit Of "oppo9lton
| in that sc Iipn. and III defending itself from the
! suspicion Of any disposition to initiate their ex,
, ample, remarks n follows. We quote from tho
| ChnrlestoHn tNa.) Independent Dsm3cra, u Oh,
| Huh Instant:
| 1--WE expect to treat the opinians Of tho Opposi-
ton With al. due courtesy and respect, and We
mean never I" descendt to poymcnt Of pitfu
, and icproachiul terms to characterize them ",
base n reason TO believe that because they lsn
gree with us ~ to tho espeliencv of The rinc
plos and tho policy Of which We nsc the bundles
advocates, they are leso patriotic OF more susli
cious NJ 10 their iealty u the South than ws or
the Democratic party. On the cln.rary.ns can
did and un ndepcadenVcHpression oi onr opinion
VIC do not believe they are. Our neighb1r, then
~ the organ Of the Opposition in Jefferson roun
ty. whatever Of fault he may find with us it
tho advocacy aud maintenance OF our principles
may rest assured thu, tho Independent is not t,
be one Of tho organs that is to grind out hnrsh
bitter and reproachful epithets towards him or hi
party. We rcternte our intention If disrussin,
all questions III difference in spirit of franknes
and candor."