Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-01-29

There are men who can never see more than
one side to a question. They become possessed
Il an idea or attached to a theory, and resoluie-
" shut eyes and ears to everything else. When
they cannot make figures conform 10 their doc
trines they suppress them altogether, Facts
that conflict with their views they either disre-
gard As unimportant or reject Is delusiyc. This
narrow spirit it not unfreouently found in the best
and mos; useful men; but such are not good and
useful by reason Of this disposition hut in spite
Of it. II it does not warp their whole nature,
it at least weakens their capacity for practical
work. It is generally combined with great
earnestness and zeal but the elrnostness Is not
seldom uufruitful and the zeal too often mis-
taken one.
The late report Of Commissioner Wells, and
the discussions thereupon, have disclosed this
character in u number Of public men, aud in an
extraordinary degree. 1t Is unfortunate for the
cause of Protection that in the treatment Of Mr..
Wells report, the friends Of that policy have
exhibited such virulence MIR. Greeley in the
Tribune inauguratei the war against the Com
missioner, and in 50 doing laid aside not only
the rules Of controversy bnt the usual courtesy
Of geatlemau. The c,lumns Of the III
buas we're filed with abusive attacks
upon Mr. Wells principles, his facts, and his
conclusions. Mr. Kelley. Of the House Of Rep
resentatives, showed a similar spirit Of prejudice
and intolerance. 4 resolution came up to print
a con ,iderable numter Of copies OF Mr.. Wells
report, whereupon Mr.. Kelley rose and objected.
He was opposed to scattering such false and
damaging document over the country. It's fig
ures, he sa d, were unfairly arranged, and their
lessons woerully perverted. 1t was full OF mis-
representations, erroneous statements, and IN
patriotic doctrines. He continued in this strain
at some length, and evidently in passion,
Now what is the secret Of the conduct Of
Messrs Greeley, Kelley and others Of that class,
Tho explanation is that in his Investigations,
Commissioner Wells deemed il advisable to pub
fish some facts very unpa atable to the advocates
Of high tariffs Although he avowed himself at
the outset a friend to the general principle Of
protection. be did not refuse a consideration to
facts bearing on the other side If the question.
He did not hesitate to expose some Of the abuses
and practical absuTdities Of the system. In
stead of selecting facts to prop up theory, be
collected all the facts he could. and announced
his conclusions This would seem to be an ad-
mirable method, and showing broad and
catholic mind
But this very impartiality enrages Mr.. Greeley
and his class. When they cannot deny either Mr..
Wells figures or conclusions, they attack him for
publishing them They declare that his doc
trines are pernicious, and should not be spread
before the country. Now this is very poor
way to preserve in the popular mind the faith
in protection. 1t is exactly the plea by which
the Church OF Rome used to justify the prohibit
ton Of the Bible to the masses. This Is not the
time, nor IS the House Of Representative the
place to put forward such doctrine Public
men, especially, ought to take broad and COM
prehensiye view Of important questions, survey
ing them in all their aspects, AMI giving pa
tent hearing to all sides Their opinions need
not be weak because thsy are deliberate, nor
conflicting because they are based upon long and
thorough study. And if protection cannot he
defended in the ordinary method, there must he
an error in the principle Certainly, the course
Of some Of Mr.. Wells newly-found enemies viii
not be found the true way to increase its strength
NATIONAL BANK OF BEDEMPTIoN-At the an
nual meeting of the stockholders Of the National
Bank Of Redemption, held in Boston on Wednss-
day, the following gentlemen were reelected
directors for the ensuing year - Franklin Mich
OILS, Norwich, Conn; Henry P. Hickok, Bur-
hngton, Vt; Stephen n. Mason, Woonsocket,
r. /; John Gardner, Boston. Mass. Franci:
VI. johnson, Newton, Mass; Horatio n. Case
Springfield, Mass; Elijah W. Upton, South Dan.
vers, Mass; Jacob II. Loud, Plymouth, Mass
George W. Thayer, Boston, Mass; William D
Forbes. Boston; Life Baldwin, Brighton, Mass.