Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-01-11

!
Nentative rather than penal.
:OUTsIDE POINT OF VIEW:
Written for the Times Republicans.
We hear much these days of the pub
lie opinion that viii prevent Mr. Rob-
etis from taking his seat in congress.
Nothing can stand before public opin-
ion. say thsss good people Truth is
mighty and Will prevail. Now the
writer is far from disputing these prop
losi,ions. He has an idea that q man
had better move out of town than to
run against public opinion To this
might be added 50 had woman.
Nevertheless there is another SIDE TO
this public opinion question We start
out With the assumption that public
opinion Is right always right isut is
it2 And before going any farther, sup
ppse we define public opinion as the
majority sentiment that prevails in the
community or state. Illustration: The
November elections With McISiniey's
policy IN the Philippines as the issue.
showed pui,lie opinion 70 be With the
president We believe public opinion
isaright but this fact cannot h. dis
puted. Public opinion is not necessarily
right because il is pubic opinion.
Four thousand years ago public opin-
ION said polygamy Was right The
writer thinks he is safe III asserting
that the Bible. i. ! tbs old testament
not only failed TO condemn the prac-
tice. but encouraged the system. Today
in this country it S looked upon not
only as a sin against society. but re-.
iigious crime This logic stares us in
the face. Po,ssamy per Sc is neither
right nor WRONG. Society at one 4 ge al
The World condemns al another
praises. the Practice. Public opinion,
according u this logic, was right l8. G.
and wrong whsn
slavery unquestionably received de
Vire appreciation In Old testament
times. Public opinion allowed, excused
ard favored it tie world over up a say.
l75p Probably half tha readers Of this
have lived while was Legal institu-
ton in these nited states. The
writer has heard sermons delivered
l'tpN4I e, ~ sfsi1 ~
Was public opinion right on the slavery
question IN 1926 and wrong. When?
&c
Again public opinion seems 10 have
set,ional lines In Utah today there
can be no reasonable doubt but ma
jority believe Theoretically at least in
8palygamy. We can under no cireum-
stances believe d this day and age Of
the world that it S right Who're shall
VIZ draw the line that public opinion is
right and whore il is wrong. ana who
shall do the marking?
In England today whole Christian
nation is sending men and guns into
the territory Of a weaker nation 70 kill
and destroy them. English public
opinion, presumably right Gor they
arc in the foremost ranks Of 6'hristion
nations is willing 20 sacrifice men and
MONEY 70 uphold that sentiment. And
the Boeis. in defense of their rights.
homes and country. are willing to be
wiped off the face of the earth rather
than change thelr public opinion. But
England and the Beers cannot both be
right Where shall We draw the line
cnrionSly enough the public opinion
of the Beers concerning the incoming
Engiishmen was 50 different when they
were driving Tho savage trib..s afr he
land they now oeeunv +, ,Yas ,ish,
setn the Boer niihlje on;ninn, n d,i,s
the gasutos on, ~ the lana ny &c
cupied but i, & All wrone ~, ,he
/, I.ngljshman - a,tvs me Roars
$50.
And Sd va nast admit mat n,h,ic
opinion. which s 6nlv anotha,. na.,,a e.,
athe p,blle cons 9s,ee ia ay,,,ession
ana action. can b. changed from riah,
IS ,,srans a,d 49, ,.arss 4, -, :, =
words. he publ sons sspa, / ' sus-