Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-08
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.

DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
An editor has many curious expert
erces that few other persons encounter
at all, or only in q very mild form. He
has n friend for instance, and they
differ about man. or a measure. or n
principle. or n policy. The editor feels
that he is not only entitled to his opin-
ion as common and equal right. but
by reason OF his position: and as he
believes that, rs Il citizen, he should
freely express and advocate his opin-
ion, he has the urgent sense that it lis
his sacred duty as an editor to main
tain and establish 1t for the public
good. SO, to the best of his ability. he
earnestly seeks to impress his view
upon his readers and the community.
contrary opinion with equal sincerity
and zeal; but he recognizes his friends
rights. privileges and duties to be as
sacred as his own, subject only to free
and rational argument, and he cannot
understand how friendship should con-
cede or assume in either to control. or
suppress. or change opinion in the
other, or how. or why, opinion should
interrupt or interfere with. the friend
ship of both for each other
Yet the fact is that the editor too
often discovers. to his amazement and
regret, that his friend grows rapidly
shy and distant rs the campaign pro-
crosses and plainly exhibits resent
ment, ii not animosity, against the cd
itor for pursuing the course he does,
albeit that course has been perfectly
courteous and entirely directed by sure
evidence and irrefutable logic. How is
this? Docs the friend, consciously or
unconsciously, arrosate to himself
privilege of opinion and expression that
he would deny the editor? Or does he
usurp or demand, or expect an innu-
ence, or a control, over the editor in
matters OF opinion, that he would con-
slider an attitude of gross insult. if
taken by the editor, or anyone else, to-
ward him and his views?
y cynic considering this very point.
says: IF Il friends opinions offend
Sth' anu tHtS pt biic iCSQll VI II uleH-
tai or Intellectual difference from you,
Involving no question of morality, II
may at once be taken for granted that
the offence is really in you, and not in
him: for what right have you to be Of
Tended at anybody for differing with
you on any debatable question? Re
nccting further you will be apt to find
that the very same opinions in others
do not offend you. though they are less
courteous in presenting them than your
friend. What is the matter, then? In
some cases the offence is that your
friend has disabused your mind of the
impression that he was a meek and
asserting follower OF yours. in all
things. and you are irritated, not only
al his independence, but at your own
mistake about it.
In nine cases out of every ten. how
ever" continues the cynic. you per-
ceiyc, on n little scrutiny, that n diff
ference of opinion. i'll supported. and
which you can easily meet and con
found. rather affords YOU pleasure than
otherwise; while that which hurts and
oifcnds. is the same difference. so well
supported and fortified. that YOU are
bailled. confused and routed before it;
ard this you will not, and cannot for
give. for yUu can Hrvcr- cUttfcss OF
agree that your defeat was in your own
ncfiicency or the weakness of your
cause; and hence you accuse him OF
faIsehood. treachery and deceit, of vio-
lating all the laws of civilized contest
and put on an air of outrage and in
dignant offence. But the Gods truth
is that your friend is better Informed
| and equipped; and that is his unpar-
donable offence
There is probably something in that
and if one search his own heart care
| fully. he VIII be apt to come upon
more than one occasion where an opin-
ion, or difference in opinion. would
have been regarded with good -humor-
ci tolerance. if it had not been so
strongly maintained in the discussion.
| we uns is all po creeturs." said Il
philosopher, more sagacious than gram
mat!cal; and the best OF us are liable
to become subject to very low. mean
and unavoidable feelings and motives,
If we do not keep n very strict guard
upon ourselves.
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FRE-MARITAL EXAMINATIONS.