The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-06-10

disaster. those, however, VINO per-
mitted themselves to be thus alarmed,
forgot the strong common sense and
conservatism which characterize our
people, and which, in the long run,
shape their action, no matter how
fiercely they may be stirred by stormy
and exciting issues. Therefore it was
that we looked hopefully to the time
when passion should subside, and when
the great mass OF our anti fellow citi-
zens would consider the question of
the lottery with the same sobriety Of
Judgment, and the same temperance of
diction they would consider any other
question of revenue, OR morals, or poll
tics, submitted to vote cf the people.
And, therefore, it is that we heartily
rejoice to find that our faith in the
sturdy Anglo-Saxon sense of our peo-
pie is being viudicated by the argu-
mentative way in which most of our
friends on the anti side are beginning
to consider the lottery question.
And why should it not be thus con-
sidered and adjudicateda
Here is question which, both sides
agree, deeply and permanently con-
Germs the welfare of Louisiana. How
should such a questions be debated
and decided7 Should it not receive
our best and deepest thought Ought
we not to bring to its discussion minds
that are unbiased by prejudice, and
unswayed by passiona Does not the
State rightfully demand of us our
best thought, our most unclouded rea-
son, when We adjudge question that
concerns her welfare2
AS an abstract proposition, or as a
proposition applied to matters invol-
wing the public good in small and or.
binary ways, the right of the State our
best mind, and to our most untainted
Judgment, will be,,universally conceded.
Is this right of the commonwealth i'm
paired in respect Of matter hecanse
it scars in magnitude far above and
beyond ordinary and routine matters9
If a question comes up, for example,
which only affects the welfare of the
State in some single direction, and for
the space of a single year, it will. be
admitted that the State has right to
ask of her citizens, who decide the
question, this impartial investigation
and their uncolored judgment. Is the
obligation to give that impartial in
vestigation and that uncolored judg-
ment weakened by the fact that the
question submitted affects the welfare
of the State in many directions, and
for quarter of a century7
1t seems to us that the very reverse
of this is true; that the obligation in.
creases in the exact ratio of the mag
nitude of the question at issue, and
therefore, in proportion as the lottery
question exceeds in magnitude the
ordinary questions affecting the welfare
of the State, in the same proportion is
our obligation to the State, increased
to bring to the decision of that question
ont best thought, our unimpassioned
consideration and our most impartial
judgment.
A grave question is submitted to u.s.
1t is even solemn question, because
its issues affect the State in such man.
fold directions. On this question oul
good, our intelligent and our patriotic
citizens are divided. What should be
their frame of mind in regard to this
division? How should each side bea,
itself in regard to the view of the other
Shall either side become SO drunk
with conceit of its iufallibillity of judg
ment, or its superiority of virtue, as te
claim the monopoly of brains and Of
character
To guard against such an attitude
of mind we here quote the following
paragraph from the dissenting opinion
of Mr.. Justice Fenner in the case O.
Morris VS.. Mason, and we ask from
both sides its studious perusal. AS.
sessing the lnfrmity of human opinion
and counseling modesty in human
judgments, he said:
~ have long ago put behind me al
vain conceit of opinion. Every day.
experience convinces me more clearly
of the humiliating fact that the hnmar
mind possesses no infallible ,ouchstont
of truth, and that men equally homes
and intelligent, whatever their desire
to barmonize, will often reach opposit,
conclusions on the same matters.
concede to others what l claim for my
self, the sovereignty of each man.
conscience over his judgment"
Nothing, we think, was ever NOR
wisely or better said, and by GU
friends on the anti side, who bav,
adopted Judge Fenncr as their favor
lite oracle what be said will be doubt
less received, taken to heart and actet
on. 1t is worthy Of being vorne con
stantly in mind, and We cordially trus
that neither side in the great debat,
before US will offend the WISER junctio,
it SO eloqueutly implies.