Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-03-02
Pride of Opinion.
BY J. B. JOHNSON.


II the force of the pride of opinion always
nrodueed a death.deaiing result, there would
certsinly arise great distress and Inconvenience
n society. for We, now and then, meet individ-
nails engaged in the contests of the business Of
communities whose minds are entirely given
over to an impression that they, par excellanoe,
are most entitled to have the greatest defer
ence paid their opinions. and who look upon
all who differ from them as too perverse for
tolerance, and es too insuferable to be worthy
of the slightest respect. The mere venture OF
calling iuto question the soundneSs OF their
;udoment. ,s enough to forfeit their oounte-
nance and they regard those who oppose their
opinions as personal enemies. too obstinate to
merit even the ordinary amenities OF lite.
Snch persons are usually so opiaionsted that
Il scarcely ever occurs to them that others
have an coual right to their opinions. and that,
in all probability, those who differ from them
are lust as honorable and sincere 10 their con-
olusions as they themselves claim to be. Hence.
unfairpess is as much seen 10 the mental con-
Germs of life as it is 10 the business relations OF
men. and 10 10 particular 10 1t more evident
than in the intolerant spirit OF opposition which
some persons evince towards those with whom
thew differ in business, religion and poiitlos.
No feeling can be more unworthy OF the iodi-
yidual Who entertans it, or more unfair to
those against whom it is directed; for, as it is
difficult to find two men exactly alike 10 exter.
nal physical appearance. so it is equally un-
usual to find two of the same mental at
tributes, who ex mine abstract questions OF
religion and politics in an identical man.
ner and educe conclusions precisely the
coupterparts of each other. Therefore man.
kind could not. if the trial we're made, be of
the same opinion on all subjects, which have
neither philosophical nor mathematical stabili.
~ in the economy Of the ratural order OF things.
Nature too, delights 10 variety, and men vary
AZ much in particular or special resemblance
AZ the leaves of tree, or the blades of the same
grass 1t is the innate attribute Of men to think,
and il is their inherent and unc0Dtrollsble dis!
posi,iou to think differently, and it is just as
nncbaritable and unreasonable for one man to
be an enemy of another because he differs With
him in his opinions, rs it would to be bis ene'
my on account Of the fact that he differs from
him 10 physical appearance. The lnJunction
implied in the principle OF freedom OF opinion,
is charity and tolerance in the recognition OF
the operations of the differences OF opinions,
and to feel under all circumstances that It IS
not only CONSISTENT WIN mau pf'ue VI op'u
ion 10 be charitable aud tolerant towards those
who entertain adverse views, but absolutely his
duty. as reasonable being, not to allow the
strength of his opinions to interrupt the ordl-
nary amenities of life between himself and those
with whom he may differ on themes Of religion
AMI politics; for the man who has neither char
ity nor tolerance for the opinions of others is
an unpleasant companion, a dissgreeable neigh
bor. and slave to sel6shness, without know
ing augbt of the pleasure Of that pleasant
pasime and mental profit, which arises from
liberal interchange Of opposite views and
opinions.