Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-02-18
The Spirit of intolerance.

We are fearful that the spirit of intolerance
is abroad il this Iand-that spirit which is
always the same in essence, but differs some
times in degree. The very spirit which built
up the Spanish inquisition, which prompted
the John Brown raid, aid which hangs men
in the Gulf States in reality, and in the Dor
der States in efhgy, is the same in nature,
but different in object, in degree and in man
Hesitation. 1t is simply the spirit of intoler-
ance, and i wrong and misehievOus wherever
it appears, and to whatever subject it is ap-
piled We mad hoped that the sober sense of
the people Of Tennessee would never suffer
it to tarnish the bright escutcheon of the
State IN the least degree But We apprehend
that our confidence is not altogether we'll
founded. Weak and impetuons minds will
naturally run into excuses They consider
things as they would have them, not as they
are. They run into fanaticism as naturally
as the sparks 1y upwards or as water seeks
a level 1t may be on any given subject,
whether Union, secession, religion, or any
other subject of human thought or action.
We have heard of instances in this State
where secessionists have been denied the
right to speak, and we have seen articles in
some of our journals which, to the mere SEN
timent Of Union, yields all of manhood and
of independence; at the same time we see
secessiOnists denouncing those who are az
true to the rights of the South as they are,
as traitors TO their section and its institutions.
All are equally blind to the great and mo-
mentous realities of the hour. The one re-
fuses to listen to the suggestions OF reason,
and the other is goaded to madness through
the impulses of Imagination. Both drive to
extremes which. if carried to actual results,
would inaugurate the worst possible state of
things. We earnestly appeal TO all men to
estrain their impulses and act upon the
sentiment of JEFFERSON, that in all things,
error is harmless while reason is left free to
combat it.
The issues which the American people are
now called upon to consider and decide are
of the very last Importance, not only to them
selves, but to their latest posterity. Nothing
but the last degree of GOODNESS and prudence
will save the country from suffering and de-
ISOLATION. We, therefore, regret the tendency
TO ultTaism and intolerance on all sides. We
invoke the people into whose hands the de-
cision of these great issues are committed for
investigation and decision to summon all
their powers of reflection and Judgment to
their CONCENTRATIONS. Epithets and denun-
Citations are not arguments, and bare state
ments are not always true. Weigh every
thing which may be presented well and de-
Hberately, and arrive at your conclusion by
the pathway of reason instructed and direct
ed By truth.
Thoroughly impressed with these views
and feelings, we have aimed to hold the bal
ance, in the sight OF cur readers, even. False
hood and intolerance throw many obstacles
in orr way, but We mean TO go forward as we
have set out, determined to be guided by
reason and right, and TO give, as far as it lies
in our power, the truth and nothing but the
truth.