The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-01-13
Discuss Fairly.

There is tendency in some minds to
attribute an improper motive to any per-
son who expresses views in opposition to
their own. That is mark OF narrow
ness and is generally associated with
bigotry. 1t is a relic of the old spirit of
intolerance which was SO violent in the
middle ages but has gradually, though
very slowly. toned down until it is com
ing to be despised even by those who
entertain it.
The last preceding remark may seem :
trife paradoxical. But it is a fact that
people viii often oppose in theory that
which they drop into in practice; on tho
principle, perhaps, that when they would
do good evil is present with them. 1t
does not help any cause, with thoughtful
people, to attribute unworthy motives to
an opponent, particularly if nothing of
the kind appears in that which the fault
finder desires to controyert.
To substitute personalities for reasoning
is very small and puerile, to use no
harsher terms, and can give no sstisfac
ton except to rancorous and soured
souls. But few of the public are i'm
pressed by such course unless it be I'M
favorably, and it accomplishes nothing
final in any kind of rational discussion.
Cultivated people and papers, if hold
ing hot debate, are becoming more and
more able TO accord to those who differ
with them honesty and goodIrnotives equal
to their own, unless the opposite becomes
obvious from language or conduct. Quot
ing only part of a sentence and comment
ing upon it when a full quotation would
preclude contention, is not honest in act
or intent.
In religion as well as in politics this
broad and charitable sentiment ought to
prevail. 1t does not follow, because a
man cannot SOC as a truth that which to
another appears as plain as anything that
the noon day sun shines on. that he Is
wilfully blind or wickedly unbelieving.
There are honest differences of opinion
on what may be considered vital ques-
tions and neither party will be convinced
by untrut hful insinuations as to his
motives.
Democrats and Republicans differ
widely on some important questions.
They do so on principle. 1t may be said
that the essential difference between Thorn
is not actually great, and that much
of it is disputations rather than
real. While that may be to some
extent correct, there is radical difference
between some fundamental principles Of
each party, and those who consider them
of Importance hold to them as tenaciously
and honestly as do sincere religious con-
verts to the doctrines of their respective
creeds.
In discussing such differences there is
no need to indulge In ill-temper, nor to
impute wrong motives. Argument
should be met with argument, and the
supposed mistakes on either side be
pointed out with view to the develop
ment Of truth and The enlightenment of
mankind. When this rule is departed
from and disputant, instead ofreplying
to reason or statement, becomes per-
sonal and vindictive seeking rather to
stigmatize than to answer an adversary,
he gives evidence that either his cause is
weak or he is a very poor advocate.
Among estimable people he is regarded
with pity or contempt.
Sometimes by way OF reioinder it ap
pears necessary or one is tempted to re-
taliate in kind. There may be some ex-
cuse for this, but it is open to similar OBJ
iections, and the question at issue is sell
dom made clearer by it, though a portion
Of the public may applaud, in the same
spirit that cheers on a fistic encounter or
a dog fight. "Freedom and reason make
us men - 1t is said and sung; let these
prevail and when we differ let Us meet in
fairness and generosity rather than in
bitterness and rancor.
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