The New York herald., 1879-09-30
A PLEA FOR MIR. KIDDLE.

To THE EDITOR THE HRRALD:-
Some weeks since thero appeared article in your
paper containing sagc words Of admoniton. ad-
dressed to the New York Sun and other papers, with
regard to certain publications in reference to Mr..
Conkling and tho Spraguo family. Among other good
things stated at that tmo was something like this
remark :It more difficult often for editors to
know what not to publish than what to publish"
In reading tho recent criticisms OF tho HERALD on
Superintendent Kiddle forced to think It
had either demonstrated it's inability this instance
to discriminate wisely and judge fairly had wit
tingly and wilfully committed the very wrong so
justly censured in the Snns columns. when It stg-
matizcd that gentleman "an impostor or an i'm
bocilo." Tho superintendent. well the distin-
guished editor OF the HERALD. is entitled to his
opinion, the value of such upon any subject
to be estimated by tho public. fortunately.
only as the opinion of one man. III Mr..
Kiddle's case, no doubt, honest conviction
resulted from carefal conscientious investigation
OF the subject considered All who have known the
man longest and best accord him this Justice even
whilo opposing his views. disbelieving his rovea-
tons aud deploring their publication. Has tho
HERALD been equally just when in reply to an excel
lent article in the issue ii dcnounccs the
Superintendent as 'an imposter or an imbece" IN
the following terms?-"He is an imposter the
worst kind of cheat. II he does not
believe in tho reality Of the revelations
believe In them to accept tho alternative and
conclude "he has not the of sound mind or is
cruckod." such IL the HERALD'B logic. So Mr.. KID
dies namo is sent tho land coupled with cpl
thcts of ridcule unworthy the pen of tho magnnni-
cditor who acted the part OF censor to his el
lows on the occasion above named. The man who
dares to do his own thinking and has sufficient in
dependence Of character 70 assert his belief; the
man who decides TO trust the evidence of
his senses. who receives facts natural or SUPER
natural tnany Of which, ike ten thousand mysteries
by which we are surrounded, cannot be Understood
adequately explaincd) and accepts them. Is pub
lcly deprcciated, nockod and traduced. A man
whose wisdom. sound sense and sterling Judgment
have never been questioned but thoroughly tested
and proved during years OF earnest labor In very
midst; man who has won tho respect of all asso-
ciated with him by his strength Of mind. admirable
qualifications and blanielcss lfc-is such
20 DO prescribed for opinions sako
In this FREQ country whose constitution says, ''No
religious test shall be required qualification to
any Office OF honor or trust in tho United statcs?'
Il would bo quito consistent to question the gem
erals of our army. tho commanders OF our navy
men of skill. courage experience and abilityif tcy
hold peculiar notions In regard to the relation spir
it's sustain Co mortals. II Mr. Kiddle Is
Will some ono tell us whether his successor will bc
required 10 pass an examination In regard
to his peculiar phases of his religious ideas,
and il round sound in that kind OF orthodoxy
which will best 1T him for tho position how long
will he bo required to stick to the doctrine
what changes mGy ho be permitted to indulge in
without forfctiug the same? What members OF the
Board elcctng hiin viii furnish creed. will each
present different one? Who will conduct tho ex-
ANIMATION and how often during his term OF
OF solf-respect be found who will sub
mt TO It? The Fundamental doctrines which
make up Mr.: Kiddc's faith and practice
churches. lie asserts that these beliefs havo only
bocn strengthened aud established by recent develop
superintendent be founda He has been weighed In
the balance for nearly half century and has not
been found wanting. Why seek TO replace the tried
aud truo by who has bcen testedf At least
let our public Journals advocate freedom of thought
and speech, right they claim and exercise theni-
think as they please and speak whom they 'iss s3xx.