New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-09-27
THE RIGHT OF PRIVATE OPINION.

THE RIGHT OF PRIVATE OPINION.
Public opinion, it is said, governs the
world, but this is because there is no other
world within reach with whose opinion a
collision is possible. A man may be gov
erned by his private opinion, so far as
this does not lead to actions or omissions
that interfere with the rights of Others
There is no practical force in the popular
declaration iLat ''this is q free country
and every man has right to his own
opinion For while the rule may hold
good in purely speculative questions, .espe-
.. cially Of religion, It requires serious modi-
fcation before it can be applied to the
practical relations Of life. While We hold
it to be absurd to. deny to a man the ex-
ercise Of his reason upon all matters affect
ing IFS own interests, whether il matters
involving this worlds goods or his future
happiness Jte ought not to be permitted
to set up LIS opinion in a case where it
! Will pgove an obstruction to the happiness
; Of Others For where opinions clash. with
| no disposition 20 yield Oh the part OF
either Of the disputants resort to physical
! force is necessary In the absence of law
or where the State does not provide rule
for the settlement Of disputes, the weak
man is always subject to the strong, and
justice is unknowno
I But happily. the proper provisions have
been made for settling all disputes and Il
!: is no: only 9 duty. but It is wise fog the
. defeated party in @ contest. 20 yieid q
read? obedience. even though in SO yields
| ing he sur:endeEs his private opinions,
winch have practically become useless 80
him. They have already led him into one
I error; let hin5 not cling to them till he
suffers greater losses. For while public
opinion suIes The 'vosii. it includes among
| its subjects private oginioB also. sshicB
must be ruled BY i.
These sisws hold good when applied Go
aggregations Of men no less than to jndi.
v:duals. Political parties are usually die
vided upon matters Of opinion Before
any case is finally decided every man has
the right, and it is lis duty 90 examine al!
the points carefully, freely sorn and as
freely express his opinion. and then leave
It 70 he tribunal that has been created by !
CUSTOM 20 decide i: fog final decision. !
When o settlement has been had and the !
principle II question either enacted into !!
law, .: elected. discussion IS usually at an
end. :os tie prevailing opinion has been
expressed, and the minority defeated.
',J5tss applications 50 these general Sc.
marks are Numerous and obvious Oug
friend James Grahans now lies in the
Parish. Prison. victim to his tenacity of !
adherence 20 lis OWE opinion. His
views first FLASHED with the assessors. and
an appeal was made to the proper tr;bu.
nai. after exi.austing every legal means
to defend Lis position NJ. Grahan1 was
declared BY the representative OF law TO.
be in the wrong. and ordered to perform.
q specific duty. But the auditor had per.
mitted his idea shat he was wight to De.
come 80 deeply jngrained into his mind,
that lie .esc!utely yefvsed 70 obey the oge
der q lie court, Hes therefore, in the
nan:e 81 !awset himself up in a,tagonism
with tie !aw /: refused to surrender his
opinion. . which he doubtless sets up an
claim and declines to yield
when ovegrowered in fair fight. Now
we 10 not express any opinion upon the
me:its Q: the original cause. for they have
nothing TO do with Ir. Graham'S case at
this stage Of the proceeding. The deci-
Son .! the Eighth District Court may
be erroneous. and upon appeal to the SUE
, 'elne Court might possibly be reversed.
8uG as the party in interest, the State.
through the representative chosen by law
or such purpose, declined to contend furo .
her, ana refused to appeal to the Supreme
Court, the Judgment. of the Eighth Dis.
riot Court became final, and it must be
nforcedo unless we are to have the SOY.
reign power of the State set at defiance.
Towo We regret that aIro Graham. whom :
'e esteem tor his many good qualities,
hou!d feel it to be his duty to put him. A
Elf in such an attitude For if the Jaw P
an be defeJ in one case from correct and
onest motives. It can be set at naught in
lany others from corrupt and wicked mo.
YES. It is rather the part of good cit.
zen to suf1ey wrong on occasion than to !
It an example that leads to dangerous
ractceso :"
He REPORTED DISORDERS IN MOBILE. ! "a
The Mobile Register of Tuesday cone =
inns an account Of some serious disturb.
=. L. - L IL