The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-30
Cant Aseat . Broad ana liberal visws.


1 tcEsN Appiot0ne MnGeztnoI
Cant has good many aliases, the mo
phrases about the 'sbroad and the liberal
20 emphasize the meaning of these Sign
meant words, and be entirely in accord vii
the spirit that utters them, we ought
qse capital initials, and write Broad an
Broad and Liberal are two words usurr
| cd ny every body who has an idea that Il
mas discovered q new measure for the un
verse who thinks he has broken dow
some old, we'll fixed social barrier VIII
imagines that, by a sort of free.and -eas
Incense, he has established his supremac
over those who recognize restrictions an
are governed by definite principles. TIL
an Witn whlch these words are usually ap
proprlated, the assumption of dispassionat
Judgment and mental largeness which the
imply, challenge a critical inquiry int
the qualities of mind they often really ex
press.
1t may be asserted, with at least appro
ximate truth, that nothing is SO intoleran
as tolerance. Those who make boast O
their large and unprejudiced views, VIII.
claim that they have escaped the yoke o
dogma and the restrictions of social au.
thorlty, are very prone to indulge in-s
iordly and scornful contempt for every
body who does not accept a similar license
OF opinion. In the very assertion of liberal
.oN VA ooN SAC"S CASy OlJGu CXQlOlC an eX
IRENE narrowness, and, in making their
own opinions the standard by which to
judge of the mental capacity of others.
they show how little they understand what
true breadth of intellect and Judgment is.
Now, he is not broad and liberal who
simply denies limitations who imagines
that, by rejecting all authority and empty
ing his mind of all beliefs, he has ADVANCED
to greater altitude of mental survey and
knowledge. License to think as one
pleases, and do as one pleases may be ad-
vocated by people of the most limited in
tellectual range, may be carried out by
those who are utterly incapable of COM
pretending the real breadth and measure
OF teachings the restrictions of which they
rebel against. A man may become indif-
ierent to the right or wrong of opinion,
careless of evil, tOlerent of vice and wrong
doing. and yet all the while be az narrow
minded fool as the world can show. An
other man may have very decided convic-
tons, be utterly hostile toward evil, and
yet possess, IN truth, very broad and
liberal spirit. Liberality and breadth con-
SYST IN the comprehepsiveness with which
We study and measure theme, and NAV
Exist as notably in discovering necessary
as in realizing extent. They
ire manifested also in the charity with
Shich the acts and utterances of others are /
odged, in the hospitable tolerance which |
While adhering to our own convictions, /
We extend to the ideas and views of other
'eople.
But this charity and tolerance must ne
essarlly be limited to- those things not in |
pernicious. Indifference to evil,
II indifference to those things which the |
'est judgment of mankind considers evil. |
rises, if not from viciousness, at least from |
haiiowness of mind. The comprehensive |
Intellect that traces evil to it's remote
onsequences, that measures all the extent
Its injury, is tolerably certain to be
lied with unqualified hostility toward it
'g whence thing tends, what its signif-
ance is, how much mischief it directly and
is accomplishing, is so far en-
nored of its own apathy and dullness of
lsight as to give them the high names of
berality and breadth. This sort of lib.
ranty apd breadth Is very common. We
Jay lind it abundantly with all the self
ldulgent class f; it is pet with those who
re slaves to vices, with those who do not
are I" limit their actions by moral obi
atlnh. NO doubt very earnest exponents |
1T can be found within our prison walls.
There are some who honestly believe |
ley are broad and liberal. lust because
,eS nave got outside the pale "f pronriety. :
one sense, there il good deal of the
lalitles under discussion III h-inp able tn :
more law and mcrai obligation but il ia
ia sort of breadth that sometimes epds in
comfortable limitations to liberty. Your ,,
ee lover is very apt to descant upon his :
oad ana liberal views. But why does he :
sumo that his survey of this topic is more !;
mpreheneive than that of the man who be- !,
ives 10 the sacredness of marriage7 There .,
no breadth in simply disrepard1np es..
6lished usage and principles. Usages q
d principles are commonly based upon
largest knowledge, the most penetra- q
lg insight, the clearest perception of con-
luences; they are the epitomized out u
me of the worlds experiences and, in f.
'ad OF that man showing breadth and lib :.
'lity who deliberately disregards this =;
Pperence, he only evinces how ignorance u
perversty can venture to lay down :,
es OF conduct upon insufficient data. :,
n the same way we hear persons claim. =,
these virtues of iargeDess and liberalitv =,
good deal of looseness of judgment in +.
aud literary matters. Within the do. =, ~
In OF execution it is quite as necessary ~ ~
an artist to know the limitations of his o.
az Its resources. He is simply incom- Sc
ent VIII" attempts to make al art ex- sc
IN Tfns 4