The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-06-09
FREEDOM OF THOUGHT.

066UUM VI 4aOUUAls
No one is disposed to be more liberal thar
we are in conceding to others the full right
of entertaining such political opinions as
they may see proper. In differing with ouI
political opponents upon questions Of policy
or political economy, We do so with the best
of motives and at the same time with feel
ings entirely foreign to anything like pro
scriptiOn or OstracIsm.
Our contemporary, then, of the Republican
errs in attributing to us anything like CD
position to "a perfect freedom Of opinion in
politics and religion" We concede this
! right under any and all circumstances.
These are measures of purely indi
vidual Judgment and taste, and those who
NAV decide to entertain and advocate
different sides of the issue from us are not
ernecessitate rel, legitimate objects for censure
or denuncation. But upon questions OF
strict morality, honesty and political integ.
rity, questions of fact and not of mere opin
ion, we contend that it is not only our right
but it is our duty, as independent, fearless
and incorruptible journalists, to at all
times espouse the cause of virtue expose
corruption, and denounce the evil doer.
Hence it is, that when we hear of any
dereliction of public duty on the part of any
official or citizen, we do not hesitate to ex-
press our disapprobation in the plainest Ian
guage. We do not stop to inquire as to the
political status of any one who may be guilty
Of improper conduct. Let us be only salts
malfeasance, conspiracy, or venality, and no
party association will save him from our
denunciation.
The Republican, then, misunderstands our
remarks and criticisms when it attributes
to us political intolerance in our cens,lre
of the conduct of Mr.. Oglesby Gov. Hebert
tie Times, Picdyune and Others who have
lately come under our ban. These parties
have not incurred our displeasure because of
their political opinions. We were not aware
that they were Republicans, or took issue
with us upon matters of State or National
politics. 1t was because of their completely
in questionable financial transactions,
involving the welfare Of every citizen
of the State, that we assaulted
them SO vigorously. 1t was because they
we're connected with and interested in gigan-
tic and fraudulent jobs that were sought to
be fastened upon the taxpayers of the
State that we denounced and exposed them
It is because the Picoyune and Times close |
heir column, against the exposure Of these
lis bedroom was secured r0i.nsomfs neck.
" rings" embracing at Glmts ago.. 81 the
oldest and best citizens, but from this fact
none the less reprehensble, that we chaff
them upon their truculency and lack of in
dependence and bOldness. .....
We would like to convince the Republican,
by far argument, that its political creed is
erroneous that its political ethics are I'M
sound, that its political course is not the
best one to promote the welfare of the
but should we fail to bring about
50 radical change in the mind of our con-
temporary, we would not for that reason de-
nounce him as dishonest, yenal and corrupt
But should we, on the contrary, detect him
giving countenance to fraud, aiding robbers
in their attacks upon the treasury, and
otherwise participating in nefarious schemes,
we believe he would justify us in any de-
nunciations to which we might give expires
sion.
We trust. hereafter, we will be understood,
an that whatever course we might decide
to take, we will always be credited with
willingness to cOncede the most unlimited
freedom OF thought to those who may pollti-
cally differ with us.