Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-06-27
THE RUTLAND HERALD
FRIDAY, JUNE 81, 1872.
Partizan Prejudice.

fart1Zam PrcJuOlCes
A little time since attention was called
to the power of prejudice. It's influ-
ence is more apparent in partizan life
than in any other relation. Prejudice
confounds cause with the errors and
frailties of its advocates. This is often
exemplified in the strife of political par
ties. A jealous partizan eyes the mis-
conduct of here and there delinquent
in the opposition ranks as indicating the
character of the whole party; although
most of them are probably abhorrent of
the base misconduct But such miscon-
duct is busily proclaimed as the proper
fruit, or at least as the general concom-
liant of the principles held by those in
whose ranks it was found. Much of this
misrepresentation, doubtless, originates
in malice, or it is mere political trick.
But the fact that it is so often a success
ful trick, shows the power of prejudice
in confounding cause, with the char
acter of its advocates.
Let a man plead in defense of any
cause, no matter how judicious and able
be his plea, if among his hearers be those
who dislike the cause or who dislike the
advocate and despise his character, with
them his arguments go for nothing.
They view everything through the medi-
um of prejudice, and in the frailties of
the man the force of his reasoning is
neutralized. In like manner some per-
sons cherish strong prejudices against
religion, as mere pretense, because
among its avowed friends and advocates,
inconsistencies are found and, occasion
ally, very gross misconduct. All men
know that these faults are no part of re-
ligion, but are directly condemned by
religion yet, still not few are found
who suffer palpable prejudice to oc-
cupy their minds, confounding the sys-
TEN itself with the follies and the faults
it condemns, simply because they who
avow an attachment to it, are faulty and
inconsistent.
On the same principle, we can ac-
CONT for the fact that some persons as
sociate in their minds all pretensions to
personal piety, with coarseness of man
ners, vulgarity of sentiment, and total
want of. refinement. Having seen re-
ligion only among the least refined of its
adherents, their minds are preoccupied
with the notion that it must be INSOFAR
ably connected with vulgarity, coarse
moss ond a Jioruc+iocr cont II, yna++arc
also Of merely secular character, it is
often seen that an awkward demeanor,
an uncouth appearance, undue boldness,
or the reverse, in one who undertakes to
yindicate a cause, rouses at once the
prejudices of his hearers and most effec-
tually acts against what he would re-
commend. Instead of judging the case
on its merits solely, and listening with
patience to the arguments advanced, the
hearers of such an uncouth advocate too
often take offense at the manner of the
advocate and biased by this prejudice,
decide the case against him. Illustra-
tons in point might be found, but too
frequently in the court room, in the
crowd lounging carelessly around the
orator on the platform, and even among
those grouped around the pulpit. There
are some found who profess to regard
the doctrines of religion, its precepts and
0 ven its rites, with profound respect,
who do nevertheless estrange themselves
almost entirely from the public services
of religion on the alleged ground of a
total want of refinement and good taste
in those who officiate in these services.
This prejudice also extends to literary
productions. A heavy, dull, uninterest-
ing writer, whose style is homely andin-
accurate, however excellent the cause he
defends, will find but few to read his
productions. The profoundest reason
ing sustained by able Illustration and en-
riched by authorities, furnished by learn
ed and laborious research, will not suf-
flee to redeem his cause from the fatal
effect excited by cumbrous phraseology
and unpublished diction, while another
work, meagre in thought, lame in argu-
ment, ard almost void of real merit,
shall secure popularity, simply by its
daring spirit, recommended by free
flowing style and lively manner. Thus
it is in all the relations and departments
that our sentiments and feelings are col
ored by the influence of prejudice.