The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-05-11
A Ilcriied Rebnlkc.

The following we cut from the Liberal Chris
tidn of last week. It administers just and
fitting re5uke to the intolerant spirit recently
displayed by large portion of the professedly
religious press, towards man who has well
earned the right to have the motives for his
conduct fairly judged. The disposition mani
tested by a certain class of reformers to i'm
pute moral guilt to all who differ from them
in opinion, is an unspeakably narrow one, and
one moreover which is sure to react most I'M
avorably against the reforms they desire to
effect We are glad to find a religious paper
characterizing this pernicious spirit as it de-
serves: a1- il+" l-f 80 --H -,
The relentless way in which the sectarian
papers have assailed John A. Andrew for his
conscientious opposition to the prohibtory
liquor law. raises the question whether we
nave religious press, or not. Here is one
of the ablest, most conscientious Christian
men in the country, a man who has won the
respect and love OF every American patriot by
his noble devotion to the national cause, and
has always stood in the forefront of the great
moral movements and ,phianthropes OF the
age. After years of extended observation and
careful study he becomes convinced that o GER
tain measure is wrong in principle and injuri-
Gus in its effects-a conclusion which hundreds
OF the best-informed and best men in the COM
munity have also reached, He conducts a
'hearing" before a legislative committee-a
hearing which, according to some Of the afere-
said papers, has completely disproved his own
1aliacious arguments and utterly defeated the
plans OF bis clients. No one accuses him of
violating single conviction, or of conducting
the case unfairly Indeed, after reading the
reports OF the hearing" and the arguments of
ene counsel ON both SIDES, almost any one ig
noranI OF the profession to which the gentle
men respectively belonged would infer that
Mr.. Andrew was a clergyman and that his on
ponent was o lawyer. But Notwithstanding
these facts the religious" papers are filed
with LAMENTATIONS on the "iost leader" atIe
wandering pleiad,' and all sorts az maan &C.
pensions and abuse, and we are assured that
were he candidate for Governor tomorrow he
would not get 10000 votes
This treatment of a great and good man for
an act which required high degree of moral
courage, deserves reprobation. 1t is false in
principle and pernicious in practice Immoral
lrreliglous, unchristian. 1t says to everv pub,
TIC man, to every young man with political as
plfatlons: Smother your convictions unless
tshey square with those of the majority; DISC
pey your conscience If it bids you do different
hom others; dare to express an unnonuIar
opiliion, and you shall be hunted and hurrieJ
W .lle death Yet the parties who TINS nut a
P' I upon moral cowardice disbonestv
Hitx;pocrlsy, complain OF the despotism of
,,mI noi,.aGs anu wonaer why we have so many
unprihcipled politicians and tin,' .niny
plies,s. ihey crush or cruelty everv mo-, r,nS
hts ene NORA lntrepdity to mointain h;a !" no
Ncuons against public opinion. and arn ms , ION
amazed that politicians cannot be trn ere tnen
that ministers subscribe TO articles thn' anu
believe! 0'es ehey do not
III Is hlgn tline this thing were stopped. Jfo
man taxes an untenable position. prnye H.. -
is SO by argument instead of assaino b; si'c IL
abuse; II ms reasoning is unsound, point m,rn
its fallacies instead Of pelting him With I ouS
names and accusing him of mean ,na, isaru
There is an immense difference between a as
error of Judgment and that moral integr;t a..
and heroism which dares TO face the frowns ~
friends and the opposition of the world to main-
tain il; and while we criticize and condemn
the error, We ought TO commend and honor the
moral qualities which support and almost emo
Bile it. TO condemn these moral qualities
which are the strength and glory OF human
nature, because Of the erroneous opinions they
mappeh 10 maintain, is piece of insanity even
nioIe absurd than to cut down an oak because
1870 oeis d single unsound acorn or an ursightly
pranch' We should set a higher value upon
principe IMAM opinion honor moral courage
nofo siaH conformity and encourage fidelity
toconVicuoh by treating with respect the man
who takes an unpopular position for nr;nci,,ia's
sake. Our people are oftentimes terribly nm