New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-12
TOLERANCE.

may probably be true, Is rare NiIt"e'
not in old countries and under monarchical
and aristocratic forms of government
alone, but in young. free. progressive
America. Theoretically, indeed. every
body in this country is free to express.
opinions on any subject, and to carve out
his own walk in life. subject only to the
law which forbids certain injuries to the
neighbor. Practically. the war between
the force Of public opinion and the de-
velopmept Of individuality still limits
this freedom to painful extent Old
King Custom is upheld by the
suffrages Of SO many tina: the few
who question his authority are still
liable TO be branded as disturbers Of
the public peace. rebels or heretics. &C.
cording as their opposition may refer to
social, political or religious matters. In
different parts Of the country this social
despotism is displayed in different ways.
public opinion in the North. especially
in New England. being comparatively
liberal with regard to thought and discuss
sion. bat vigorously exac: in respect 70
conduct. In the South. on the contrary.
there has always existed greater freedom
for the exercise Of individuality. but less
liberty Of thought-or its outcome ex.
preston. There a man may theorize on
any subiec: IN the heavens above. or on
the earth beneath. o. in the waters under
the earth: may question the propriety of
every venerable usage. and the
truth Of every received opinion: may
breach doctrines whose general nc.
ceptancc and practical workings would
abolish at once the family hearth and the
ecclesiastical altar. and blot out the
words home and God from the vocabulary
Of the world. But wo be unto him if he
attempts % net upon his own theories
He is Immediately placed under social
ban as ine.orable az the pariaship of the
IndiesN His thoughts may expatiate
throughout the bouni.ess universe. but
his feet mus. keep to tie beaten track.
Any wide departure thereirom would sub
Jet him to the charge Ct eccentricity: too
vide departure would be regarded MS
insanity. Here,as We have already said.
it is otherwise. Action is !reer and
opinion more restricted. The dominance
Of the slavehoiding power in former
times was partly the Cause Of this. Where
there IS one suhjec: upon which people
are 70: allowed freedom If though.
and discussion. they are Jess able
20 ass.r: their rish: to that free
dom on other subjects. That this
intolerance Of hete,oao. Sorin;ons on the
suhiec. OF slavery. and the kindred one o:
the radica! differences between the two
races, did no: affect the relations Of these
races. Is it logically oaSh. 70 have done.
is ocUiariy demonstrated IN every Zane
and every thorouShf.,e O: or Southern
cities. Nor has this stltc:n.ss Of doctrine
and latitude o: condrc. been limited to
the one subject. Our people are. for the
mos: part. conservative IN politics. and
unprogressive in religion :h.. is. such
IS make any profession whatever on the
latter subject. ! man may stay away
from church altogether. nay disregard
":he Sabbath" and liz. a, # Christianity
were liable. and il vii! b.. TO great detri-
men. 70 his character with The community
in general: but if ne processes religion a:
all j: must be Ill some orthodox" form
VIVA: Is called ''!ite.a! Christianity" is
an exotic, and Goes no: thrive in this
climate.
i: has always been HE tcas: Of the con-
sentative class in tie South, and that class
forms :: vas: majority among the ante-war
citizens, that the various sc-cailed '.isms''
Of New England have never found advo-
Gates or adheren:s this side Of MASON
and Dixon's line" an! this is true.
Whether il Is an advantage. or not, is q
question too wide in it's bearings to be dis
cussed in this article: but ii is certain that
this hostility to novelty ia the domain Of
thought, the natural offspring OF the po-
litical intolerance which necessarily pre-.
vailed here. was increased ly the fact that
such novelty usually reached US through
the medium Of New England radical.
progressive, aggressive New England.
During the war, and since its close. the
spirit of political intolerance received
fresh impulse on both sides; for the war
proved conclusively, among other things.
that opinions are vital things. and that
differences on fundamental questions
Of government, when not settled by
free discussion, will get them.
selves settled ia g less peaceful
way-by the clash of arms. namely. and
the laundering decision Of artillery de.
cision not final, however, unless in ac-
cordance with truth For. when the
smoke Of battle clears away, and war
hangs up her blood-stained sword. the
question (Which side WAS in the right:"
is still open for the discussion Of his.
torians and the arbitrament Of experience.
10 ILLS lrlD'illiil IH'1st 20. QUESTIONS ol
doubtful wisdom be referred at last. but
III the meanwhile it is in the interest of
truth and progress tina: 10 restrictions
should be laid upon the liberty Of thought
and discussion; that the free expression.
even OF opinions which tie general senti-
men. Of the community condemns, (pro-
v:ded, Of course, such opinions 60 not vio-