Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-11-06
TILE RUTLAND HERALD.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER /, 1878.
CKEATEU ToLERATIoN.

E-- ------
GREATER TOLERATION.
The manner in which this universal
Yankee nation is made up, with a terri
tory as broad as a continent, and apeo-
pie drawn from every civilized quarter
of. the habitable globe. where the Mo-
homedan, the. Greek, the Catholic and
the various Protestant sects of the re-
ligious world are combined to build up
large cities, renders it a necessity for the
American people to rise to a greater toll
Grafton of differences of opinion, whether
political, social or religious, These di-
versities of opinion and of business pur-.
suits gives to our country a comprehen-
,sive scope and power that can be found
no where else, and it is by the earnest
protection by the whole, of every man
who feels q duty to differ in his senti-.
ments and philosophy from his neigh
hors, that we. show the progress of en-
lightenment that is being made in our
country under the fostering care of free
Institutions. S J, {, = -7.5 .5,.}..,,.s.f
Pride of opinion is the greatest bsta-
Gle TO progress and advancement, The
savants and learned doctors of the
world were ready to. Danish Heryey to
an insane asylum because he believed in
a new philosophy concerning the life, of
the body and the circulation of the
blood Calico was last into prison, and
made to deny the. faith that was in him
at the dictation of the leaders of sci.
ence. The Christian dispensation was
strangled and crushed to earth in its
early days by the intolerance of estab.
lished orders, and only triumphed by
virtue of its truth and inherent power
over the hearts of men, Political ideas
have. been born in. blood and carnage,
and untold woes have destroyed nations,
that new. ideas might not spread and be
believed of men. Mani a creature of
imperfect wisdom, and in his highest
estate he can comprehend but a small
share Of the truth and knowledge of the
world, and it is a sorroWful sight to see
him wrap the cloak of conceit about his
little soul, and prescribe his neighbor be-
cause he does not stand.on. the same plat
form of narrow ideas, 1t would be a
long stride ipthe world progress if men.
who cherish strong opinions. of their
own were willing to allow all others Che
same privileges and rights they claim for
themselves, .,.t....-..,,..... 81
Our national constitution Is broad and
elastic. It. admits. of the Development
of a family of empires under its ample
federal @gis The national government
must maintain the integrity of each
member of the. Federal Union, but it
must permit to each, the largest liberty
of individual development. We have in
our society Christians and Jews each
must be protected in the full liberty of
conscience, to believe their own scheme
of salvation, and neither can be allowed
to Cypress the other for opinions sake.
We have people of. diverse views of So
cial life and personal habits, and it is Of
Tense against humanity to lay upon such
the heavy hand of social or legal intoler-
ance, unless the same is necessary to
protect other classes of people in the en-
joyment of their ihalienable rights.
There should be as little clasliing as pos
sible between the State and the citizen,
and whenever the power of the govern
ment is laid upon the individual. it
should always be for the protection Of
society and of humanity, and never
through the cruel spirit of revenge. Re
form. and not punishment, is tAe primal
object of social restraints and legal PEN
alties. -sLge ~. ~:
Wise Withholding is the absolutely
necessary policy. of our government in
the great future, and broad liberation
the essential spirit which must animate
our people. Loyalty and patriotism,
animated by an earnest desire for the
highest good of the greatest numbers,
must take the place of partizan persecu-
lions and devotion TO political organiza-
tions, The unbeunded love and infinite
charity. of the christian dispehsation
must burst asunder the treble fetters
of sectarian bigotry, religious persecu-
ton and pious denunciations of unsound
ideas in the view of particular creeds.
The vagaries of theology and the uncer-
tain developments of philosophy and
science cannot afford to shut the door
against further inquiry and opposition
H., 1. 4, e ~
sunshine of future progress and left to
wander in the darkness of an ignorant
conceit and self-appointed debasement.
Let us tolerate every belief and opinion
that does not put unnecessary restr,c-
tions on the same enjoyment of others.
WE have taken considerable pains to
define our position on the too prevalent
habit of compounding felony, by ac-
cepting a pecuniarv recompense from
criminals without making an example of
an offender, that others might not offend
in the same way. But in looking over
the facts connected with the recent ex-
press robbery at Burlington, we have
good deal of sympathy with the young
man who took the money. Here was
powerful and wealthy corporation, do
ing large business in the principal city
of the State, employing an agent
through whose hands must pass daily
hundreds of dollars in money and valu
able packages. They not only required
fidelity and strict integrity in this agent.
but the most particular punctuality in
attendance upon business, for all which
they allowed young lockwood the mi
serly pittance of thirty dollars per month.
and upon this he was expected to sup
port himself and his wife and child.
With the hard winter staring him in the
face, with a loving wife and darling in