The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-03-05
Discus SiODS.
The Real Road to the Development Of
Truth.

1he lteGk tL00G 20 tHe Deoet0PnacR1 O
| Truth.
from the New York Evening Mail
As newspaper the Louisville Courier
Journal has shown many and decided
marks of improvement sisee it passed
under the control of its present editor.
1t was once famous merely as the person.
al organ of the wittiest paragraphlst on
the American press It promises now
to win a surer and wider and better re-
putation, as a faithful record of the
worlds daily doings, as an enteprIsing
10 rnaI, and as medium for the express
sion of decided opinions without con-
spicuous dscourtesy or injustice to op-
ponents -
Its political faith we personally dis
like, but as compared with any other
newspaper which assumes to speak for
1.-The South" as such. We can but note its
great superiority. While adheriug to
many old prejudices, it seems mainly
anxious to help its section by spreading
among it's readers zeal for the practical
regeneration of the South through prac-
tical measures. And, generally, it is re-
freshingly above the pcttiness of journal
ism, and shows that its director has high
notions of what journalism should be.
An editorial in the Courier-Jo Journal of
Monday has moved us to these observa-
tions, not directly, but because it has
furnished additional proof - the good
sense with which the paper is edited.
The editorial is directed against popu-
lar and hoary delusion that truth is ELI
cited by discussion. AS to which the
Courier Journal says:
1--WE believe that investigation and
not discussion is the right road to the
development of truth Debates breed
confusion. They arouse the vaiuglori-
Gus spirit of controversy. They beget
Incorporate language. They seduce the
mind from its chastity and its candor in
to the narrow paths of special pleading
They produce friction; and while friction
may strike off sparks that now and then
illuminate for moment, it also iguites
fame of bad feeling, if it does not ex-
plode magazine of more or less co-,bus-
tible material For MANY thousands of
years statesmen and theologians haze
been cracking argum nts and crowns,
asserting and refuting. creating and de-
stroying, and we are to day no better for
their brutal and bloody work, except in
the experience wltich tells US that it is
not the proper method of life. Would it
not be better to change the system. and,
as we cannot hope to exterminate our
adversa,ies, to live and TO let live, each
striving in his own way to express his
convictions without regard to the other,
and leaving the final sum-total and ulti-
mate judgment to the God of the uni
verse Z"
Let US add to the above that we new
er knew a really "disputatious" man ho
scanned to us to rightly comprehend any
truth whatever. If such persons hold
the form of truth it's spirit has e>ca-
ped. If they can "argufy'' by the hour
about the doctrines Of religion. theirlves
seldom show the regenerati G influence
of its teachings. If they see an abstract
principle of political economy correctly,
they are impractical in its application.
They go blinded and blundering through
universe which might teach llem fresh
ana beautiful truths at every turn of
their Life journeying~, and see nothing
but the patch Of syllogisms which they
hold constantly brfore their eyes, and
which they are ready on every occasion
to plump at all whom they may meet.
There is profound wisdom, in the Cur
ier. Journals remark that it would be-
far better ito live and let live, each stri-
wing in his own way to express his con
| vic:ions without regard to the other. and
leaving the final sum total aud the ulti-
mate Judgment to the God Of tho uni
verse;